Senior Master Sergeant Jared Moran

In early March Jared was notified that he was one of the 1,257 airmen selected for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant. It was definitely exciting news for Jared and for our family, but it wasn't until the very last day of September that he officially became a Senior Master Sergeant. Until that point he was just a Senior Select which means that he had the work and responsibilities of a Senior Master Sergeant but the rank and pay of a Master Sergeant. 

At the end of each month the base puts on a big promotion ceremony for everyone who is eligible to be promoted in the coming month. It's actually a pretty fun event. There are people in the audience representing each group on the base (think firemen, medical personnel, etc) and each group has their own special cheer that they do when one of their own is presented for promotion. It's loud, it's crazy, and there's nothing else quite like it. Our girls weren't there when Jared was promoted to Master Sergeant and they don't remember his promotion to Technical Sergeant so this was a first for all of them. It was amusing for me to see the girls reactions as the initial promotees were called up and their groups started their cheers. I'm pretty sure our kids expected a little less yelling and cheering at this military ceremony. The cops cheer? One person calls out, "Defenders!" and all the other cops answer back,  "Ready to fight!" Then the caller asks, "How do we do it?" The cops answer, "Two to the chest one to the head!" Finally the caller says, "Give that airman two claps and a Rick Flair!" and everyone claps twice and says woo, "clap clap woo!"  Just imagine twenty plus cops yelling that every single time one of their own is called up to be recognized. And imagine if every single person being promoted had their own personal cheering section with their own special cheer. It's crazy!


We were lucky enough to be able to be there for his promotion ceremony and cheer for him when his name was called. Our silly girls didn't like it when I joined in with the cops on their cheer. Too embarrassing, I guess?


My sweet parents traveled all the way from Utah to be there for Jared on his big day. I know it meant a lot to Jared to have them there plus I think my dad  likes it when he can be back in the Air Force life for a little while.


Jared's mom made the drive in her fancy new car to be there for Jared as well. It's a little weird being on the same continent as everyone again and having the option of inviting extended family (and them actually coming) to our important events. Also, I'm kind of loving how tall Jared looks in these photos with our parents.

We're all so proud of Jared and the great things he's accomplished in the almost nineteen years since he first joined the Air Force.

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