SEA Tony L. Whitehead is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington D.C. He serves as the Chief’s principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting training, utilization, health of the force, and enlisted professional development. As the highest enlisted level of leadership, he provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests.
SEA Whitehead entered the Air Force in December 1982. His background encompasses a myriad of positions and assignments in the Security Specialist and Security Forces career field, and as a First Sergeant. He joined the Florida ANG in April 1994. SEA Whitehead has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, including a tour as the Provost Senior Enlisted Leader to the 10th Area Support Group, Camp As Sayliyah. Prior to his current position SEA Whitehead served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of CONR-1 AF, Tyndall AFB, FL where he advised the commander on matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of assigned American and Canadian forces and their families.
EDUCATION
1982 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1983 USAF Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
1983 Air Base Ground Defense, Camp Bullis, Texas
1986 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Kadena Air Base, Japan 1999 1996 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell, AFB, Ala.
2000 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell, AFB, Ala.
2001 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell, AFB, Ala.
2007 USAF Contemporary Base Issues, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla.
2008 Chief Master Sergeant Executive Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2009 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint PME (Legacy), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2012 Strategic Mindset Seminar, Stimson & Associates, Inc., Arlington, Va.
2013 ANG Command Chief Orientation Course, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2013 Associate Degree, Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force
2014 AFSO21 Executive Leadership Seminar, University of Tennessee
2015 KEYSTONE Joint Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2016 Enterprise Perspective Seminar (Middle East, Eastern Europe & China), Allan L. Freed & Associates, Washington, D.C.
2017 Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Joint Knowledge Online, Suffolk, Va., by correspondence
2019 USAF Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB. Ala.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint PME II Course, National Defense University by correspondence
2020 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
- 1983–December 1984, Missile Security Response Team, 44th Missile Security Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
- 1985–December 1989, Staff NCO, Security Ops, 18th Security Police Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa
- 1990–January 1991, NCOIC, Plans / Programs, 51st SPS, Osan AB, South Korea
- 1991–February 1992, Contraband Investigations, 24th SPS, Howard AFB, Panama
- 1992–August 1992, Security Police Flight Chief, 347th SPS, Moody AFB, Ga.
- 1994–May 2000, Security Response Team, Enlisted Training Manager, NCOIC, CATM, 125th SFS, Jacksonville, Fla.
- 2000–July 2003, First Sergeant, 125th Mission Support Group, Jacksonville, Fla.
- 2003–January 2007, Operations Superintendent, 125th SFS, Jacksonville, Fla.
- 2007–May 2010, Security Forces Manager, 125th SFS, Jacksonville, Fla.
- 2010–May 2013, ANG Security Forces Career Field Manager, ANGRC, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
- 2013–November 2015, Command Chief, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
- 2015–October 2018, Command Chief, 127th Wing, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
- 2018– September 2019, State Command Chief, JFHQ, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Ft. Buchanan, PR
- 2019–August 2020, Command Chief Master Sergeant, CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH), Tyndall AFB, FL
- 2020–Present, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1986 Distinguished Graduate Award, Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Kadena AB, Okinawa
2000 Eric E. Williams Commandant’s Award, USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 125th Fighter Wing First Sergeant of the Year, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla.
2002 Florida Air National Guard First Sergeant of the Year
2008 NAACP Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award, Military Equal Opportunity Policies and Programs
2016 Facilitator, International Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course (INLEAD)
2017 – 2019 Lead Facilitator, ANG Command Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course (CCMSTC)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air Force Sergeants’ Association
Airlift/Tanker Association
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Security Forces Association – Lifetime
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau August 2020
(Current as of Dec 2020)