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SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT SAM M RIOS
SMSgt Samuel M Rios is the Force Development Superintendent of the
175
th
Wing, Maryland Air National Guard. The 175
th
Wing has over 1,400
personnel supporting an A-10 Group, an Intelligence Squadron and a
Cyber Operations Group. Once formalized, the 175th will be one of only
two Cyber Operations Groups in the ANG. At full strength, this Group will
employ over 250 airmen in support of network defense, exploitation and
attack in two geographically separate locations. SMSgt Rios oversees
the Formal Training, Professional Development and Readiness of each
Airman assigned within the state of Maryland and provides analytical
reports along with high impact briefings to Wing/State leaders on
Training/Development/Readiness of the Total Force.
SMSgt Rios began his Air Force career on active duty in Jul 1996. His
first duty assignment was Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (SJAFB),
North Carolina, 4
th
Equipment Maintenance Squadron. At this
assignment, He proudly served in the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Honor Guard completing over 750 details. SMSgt. Rios supported
Operation Southern Watch while assigned to the 363
rd
Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan AFB, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia from June to October 1999 and was recognized as a superior performer. SMSgt Rios also
received distinction as the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Airman of The Quarter from July to
September 2000.
SMSgt. Rios transferred into the Maryland Air National Guard accepting a position as the Survival Equipment
Shop supervisor in December 2000. He was credited with leading the transformation of the Survival
Equipment Shop to one that surpassed regulatory requirements. In October 2001, he participated in
Operation Southern Watch at Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait where he received 332
nd
Air Expeditionary Group
Tuskegee Airmen Commanders Coin for superior performance. SMSgt. Rios went on to complete the NCO
Academy at McGuire Air Force Base, where his flight received the coveted Eagle Flight Award in May 2005.
At the end of his tenure in 175
th
Maintenance Group, SMSgt. Rios received notable recognition as the 2007
Maryland Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year, NCO Category.
SMSgt. Rios accepted the Force Development position in January 2007. While under his supervision, the
Forced Development Flight received the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Education Service
Center Award three consecutive years 08, 09, 10, for exceeding the MAJCOM average in CCAF graduates;
ultimately leading to the award of 245 Associate in Applied Science Degrees, 20% of the enlisted force within
the 175
th
Wing. SMSgt. Rios plaid a key role in the success of the May 2011, 175
th
Wing, Phase I
Operational Readiness Inspection; meticulously developing a mechanism for tracking ancillary training for
over fifteen hundred members throughout the Wing; recognized on the spot and coined by the ACC IG
Team. SMSgt. Rios went on to attend the in residence Senior NCO Academy, October 2011; where the tenth
Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, Christopher E. Muncy, coined him for
exceptional service and leadership.
SMSgt. Rios spearheaded the C27J Joint Cargo Pilot/Loadmaster transition training for 28 Pilot and 22
Loadmaster mission qualified training; enabling the 135
th
Airlift Group (AG) to stay within the strict one year
transition window to meet deployment objectives in 2012. SMSgt Rios received an additional coin by
Inspector General (IG) Team during Compliance Unit Inspection, 2013; IG report identified the Force

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Development Superintendent training program for the 175
th
Wing as being a strength in changing the culture
of training and professional development throughout the wing. SMSgt. Rios remarkable leadership was
instrumental in the reclassification review for over 232 members effected by the 135th Air Group deactivation
and departure of the C-27J aircraft into 25 career fields associated with 419 vacancies merging from the
stand-up of new Cyber Operations Group and Intelligence Squadron missions within the State of Maryland
and 175th Wing. Through SMSgt Rios strategic vision and coordination efforts with NGB Functional
Managers the forecasting and phasing in of critical training resources was captured and implemented for
these new positions. SMSgt. Rios received notable recognition as the 2014 Force Support Squadron
Outstanding Airmen of the Year, SNCO Category. SMSgt Rios participated in the April 2015 MDANG State
Activation “Operation Baltimore Rally,” while during civil-unrest in Baltimore City. During the activation SMSgt
Rios was the Senior NCO responsible for the Daily Operations within the Force Support Squadron and
oversaw the Personnel Deployment Flight (PDF) ensuring chalk integrity of 300+ Soldiers / Airmen who
deployed.
EDUCATION
2014 Security+ Certification, CompTIA
2013 Bachelor of Science, Cyber Security, University of Maryland University College
2012 CCAF Professional Management Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Associate of Arts, University of Maryland University College
2011 Associate in Applied Science, Education & Training Management, Community College of the Air Force
2010 Associate in Applied Science, Aircrew Safety Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2010 Senior Non Commission Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1996 - Nov 2000, Survival Equipment, Fabrication Element (4
th
EMS), Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
2. Dec 2000 - Jan 2003, 175
th
Operation Group, 175
th
Wing, Warfield ANGB, MD
3. Feb 2003 - Dec 2006, 175
th
Maintenance Group, 175
th
Wing, Warfield ANGB, MD
4. Jan 2007 - Present, 175
th
Mission Support Group, 175
th
Wing, Warfield ANGB, MD
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
AF Commendation Medal (1
st
oak leaf)
AF Achievement Medal (1st oak leaf)
AF Outstanding Unit Award (Valor Device and 5th oak leaf)
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal (3
rd
oak leaf)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
AF Longevity Service (2
nd
oak leaf)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 'M' device)
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (1 oak leaf)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
Maryland Meritorious Service Medal
Maryland Outstanding Unit Ribbon
Maryland National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon (3
rd
device)
Maryland National Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Maryland National Guard State Service Medal
Maryland National Guard State Active Duty Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airmen Basic 12 August 1997
Airmen 12 February 1998
Airmen Fist Class 17 December 1998
Senior Airmen 17 August 2000
Staff Sergeant 22 August 2002
Technical Sergeant 24 August 2004
Master Sergeant 27 September 2006
Senior Master Sergeant 1 June 2012