Chief Master Sgt. Christopher T. Hirl is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. As the Command Chief, he is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander on all matters affecting the readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of more than 1,200 enlisted force personnel. Additionally, he is responsible for coordinating with staff, commanders, and senior personnel on administration and implementation of command policy.
Chief Hirl enlisted in the Massachusetts Air National Guard in September of 1986 attending Basic Military Training January of 1987. Chief Hirl continued on to Keesler, AFB where he graduated as an Avionics Specialist in October of 1987. Returning to Otis Air National Guard Base, Chief Hirl assisted the base with transition from F-106 Delta Dart to the F-15 Eagle. During his time in Avionics, Chief Hirl worked full-time as an Air National Guard Technician on the flight line, in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL), and test stations participating in OPERATION Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and Noble Eagle. Becoming Active Guard Reserve (AGR) in November of 2007, Chief Hirl transitioned to the Intelligence career field as a distinguished graduate of the Imagery Analysis School at Goodfellow AFB, Texas. Returning from school in April of 2008, Chief Hirl Quickly rose to an Imagery Mission Supervisor while participating in OPERATIONS Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Selected to lead A-Flight in October of 2014, Chief Hirl led the team that established High Altitude Imagery exploitation capabilities at Distributed Ground Station Massachusetts while simultaneously overseeing the transition from DGS-MA initial operating facilities to its fully operational capable facilities. In June of 2017 Chief Hirl was selected as the Superintendent for the 102nd Operations Support Squadron. During that time, he led the squadron through numerous mission and organizational changes culminating in the formation of only the second analysis exploitation team in the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
Chief Hirl has been an active leader on base overseeing numerous enlisted development efforts including the transformation of the Otis Chief Master Sergeant Advisory Council into the Otis Top Three Enlisted Council. He is also an energetic partner in the state sponsored Women’s Networking Group. Prior to his current position, Chief Hirl was the Superintendent for the 102nd Operations Support Squadron, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.
EDUCATION
1989 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Military Course, Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass.
2007 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2013 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Intelligence Studies and Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Bachelor of Arts, Intelligence Studies, American Military University, Manassas, Va.
2016 Master of Science in Emergency Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bourne, Mass.
2019 ANG Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
- January 1987-February 1987, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
- February 1987–October 1987, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
- October 1988–December 1989, F15 Avionics Specialist, 102nd Consolidated Maintenance Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- December 1989–July 2000, Aircraft PMEL Specialist, 102nd Maintenance Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- July 2000–April 2008, Test Station Mechanic, 102nd Maintenance Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- April 2008–October 2014, Imagery Analyst, 101st Intelligence Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- October 2014–June 2017, Flight Chief, 101st Intelligence Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- June 2017–November 2021, Squadron Superintendent, 102nd Operations Support Squadron, Otis ANGB, Mass.
- November 2021 – Present, Command Chief, 102nd Intelligence Wing, Otis ANGB, Mass.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon
Massachusetts Service Medal with six devices
Massachusetts Desert Storm Service Medal
Massachusetts Defense Service Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson, Tenn.
2007 Honors, B.A., American Military University, Manassas, Va.
2016 Honors, M.S., Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bourne, Mass.
2017 Private Pilot License
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
2017-2020, Board Member, Plymouth Aero Club
2018-2021, Chairman, Otis Chief Master Sergeant Advisory Council
2021-Present, President, Otis Top 3 Council
2018-Present, Committee Member, Women’s Mentoring Network, JFHQ, Mass.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Airman Nov. 21, 1988
Staff Sergeant Oct. 1, 1991
Technical Sergeant Dec. 13, 2001
Master Sergeant Sep. 7, 2012
Senior Master Sergeant Mar. 18, 2016
Chief Master Sergeant Jul. 9, 2018
(Current as of January 2022)