Kids play with Tonkas, new chiefs play with Jeeps

302nd Airlift Wing Command Chief Suzette Cherry on left along with the 310th Space Wing Command Chief Gary Brown, pin Senior Master Sgt. Ronald Price to chief master sergeant of the 302nd security forces squadron. Chief Price, a thirty year seasoned enlisted Airman, 19 years on active duty and 11 years with the 302nd, is now responsible for training, readiness, and ensuring members of the 302nd SFS are ready to respond when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean)

Kids play with Tonkas, new chiefs play with Jeeps

302nd Airlift Wing Command Chief Suzette Cherry reads instructions to newly promoted 302nd Security Forces Squadron Chief Ronald Price on the proper care of the Jeep. As the newest chief, Chief Price also becomes the Jeep Chief, and in following Air Force tradition as Jeep Chief, he is required to keep the Jeep in his possession at all times while in uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean)

Kids play with Tonkas, new chiefs play with Jeeps

Published Feb. 9, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Price, 302nd Security Forces Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., may receive strange looks this Unit Training Assembly as he makes his rounds. Chief Price is not only the newest 302nd Airlift Wing chief, he is also now the Jeep Chief, and as Jeep Chief he is required to care for and have with him at all times the symbolic Jeep.

The Jeep is symbolic throughout the military for two things. First, the Jeep is considered one of the lowest forms of transportation in the military, ranking just above the combat boot. Second, for years, the Jeep has symbolized newly assigned or newly promoted personnel.

In maintaining this deeply rooted tradition, 302nd Airlift Wing Command Chief Suzette Cherry, presented Chief Price a symbolic Jeep during his promotion ceremony held here during the January UTA. Possession of the Jeep indicates the new chief is in upgrade training, and may on occasion revert back to the ways of a young brave, who lacks the wisdom of an experienced chief. During this time the young chief is called The Jeep Chief by his or her peers, and will be called Jeep Chief until a new chief is promoted into the rank. Along with the presentation Chief Cherry read nine sacred rules, all of which must be adhered to or consequences will follow.

Chief Price, a thirty year seasoned enlisted Airman, 19 years on active duty and 11 years with the 302nd, is now responsible for training, readiness, and ensuring members of the 302nd SFS are ready to respond when called upon.