CMSgt Benjamin R. Poland is assigned as Command Chief Master Sergeant, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard, Bangor, Maine. As Command Chief he serves as the principal advisor to the commander on all issues related to the readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of the organization’s enlisted members. Chief Poland is responsible for the morale, welfare, and quality of life of the enlisted force and their families, ensuring they are prepared to execute the mission.
CMSgt Poland enlisted in the Maine Air National Guard in January 1999. He attended Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas graduating in March 1999. He attended Survival Equipment Apprentice Technical School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas graduating in July 1999. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 101st Maintenance Squadron, Bangor, Maine where he worked as a drill status guardsman until he was hired as a Federal Technician in April 2002. In August 2003 he was hired by the 101st Mission Support Flight as Readiness and Plans NCOIC and attended Personnel Apprentice Technical School, Keesler AFB, Mississippi graduating in November 2004. CMSgt Poland has participated in the following named operations, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as deploying in support of the Pacific Theater Support Package. Prior to his current position, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 101st Operations Group, Bangor, Maine.
CMSgt Poland is active in the community and presently serves on the Board of Directors for two local non-profit organizations focusing on providing a safe and healthy environment for all ages to stay active year-round. He has been a high school soccer coach in the community for more than 20 years utilizing his leadership training and experiences from the military to help mold the many student-athletes he has mentored.
EDUCATION
2002 Airman Leadership School, by correspondence
2002 Associate of Science Degree, Criminal Justice, University of Maine
2003 USAF Honor Guard Protocol, Honors, and Ceremonies, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts
2004 Survival Equipment Craftsman Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2007 Contingency/Wartime Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2007 Personnel Craftsman Course, by correspondence
2008 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2008 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Aircrew Safety Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2008 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
2009 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2015 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
EDUCATION CONTINUED
2018 Air National Guard Installation Personnel Readiness Development Course, McGhee-Tyson, Tennessee
2020 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence
2021 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
2023 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
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February 1999–April 1999, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
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May 1999–July 1999, Student, Technical Training School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
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July 1999–August 2003, Survival Equipment Craftsman, 101st Maintenance Squadron, Bangor, Maine
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August 2003- September 2014, Readiness and Plans NCOIC, 101st Force Support Squadron, Bangor, Maine (April 2005- June 2005 Personnel Support for Contingency Operations (PERSCO) MANPER-B Operator, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, United Arab Emirates; June 2009- August 2009 PERSCO Team NCOIC, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Joint Base Balad, Iraq)
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September 2014-November 2019, Military Personnel Flight Superintendent, 101st Force Support Squadron, Bangor, Maine
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November 2019-March 2026, Senior Enlisted Leader, 101st Operations Group, Bangor, Maine (October 2023- December 2023 Commander Support Team, 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam)
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March 2026-Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, Maine
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and two “M” devices
United States Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2017-2019 Air National Guard Installation Personnel Readiness Region 1 Lead Representative
2016, 2019 Human Resources Representative for State Partnership Program (Montenegro)
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
Manpower and Personnel Master Badge
Maintenance Master Badge
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Maine
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class January 9, 1999
Senior Airman August 10, 1999
Staff Sergeant February 01, 2003
Technical Sergeant April 18, 2006
Master Sergeant June 24, 2008
Senior Master Sergeant March 08, 2016
Chief Master Sergeant November 21, 2019
(Current as of March 2026)