Friday, February 13, 2026

Enlistments & Retirement

Final Reenlistment  - USS Arizona - Pearl Harbor
Capt Lones Seiber (left) & MSgt Richard Sgrignoli (right) & Kum Sun Sgrignoli (center)


1978 March 7
Casa Grande, Arizona
Enlisted in Air Force Delayed Enlistment Program for 4 Years (1978 May 4 thru 1982 May 3)

1978 May 4
Phoenix, Arizona
Reported for Active Duty

1982 April 22
Misawa Air Base, Misawa, Japan
Reenlisted for 6 Years (thru 1988 April 21)

1988 March 31
Key West Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida
Reenlisted for 6 Years (thru 1994 March 30)

1993 September 27
Key West Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida
Enlistment Extension for 47 Months (thru 1998 February 28)

1997 May 29
USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Reenlisted for 4 Years (thru 2001 May 28)

1997 October 1
Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii
Submitted Retirement Papers (Effective 1998 October 1)

1997 October 9
Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii
Retirement Approved

1998 September 30
Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii
Last Day of Active Duty

1998 October 1
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Retirement from United States Air Force (20+ Years)

2008 March 7
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Last Day of Inactive Reserve Obligation (30 Years)


Assignments


I've had the opportunity to travel to some great places throughout my Air Force career...


1978 May 4 ~ 1978 June 19
Lackland Air Force Base
San Antonio, Texas
Basic Training
3702nd Basic Military Training Squadron (3702BMTS) Flight 385

1978 June 19 ~ 1978 October 13
Goodfellow Air Force Base
San Angelo, Texas
Technical Training School
Radio Communications Analysis (AFSC 202X0/1N4X0)
6941st School Squadron (6941SS) (USAFSS)
3481st School Squadron (3481SS) (ATC)

1978 November 13 ~ 1982 June 10
Misawa Air Base
Misawa, Aomori, Honshu, Japan
6920th Security Squadron (6920SS) (USAFSS)
6920th Electronic Security Group (6920ESG) (ESC)

1982 June 24 ~ 1983 August 3
Osan Air Base - Hardened Tactical Air Control Center (HTACC)
Songtan/Pyongtaek, Republic of (South) Korea
6903rd Electronic Security Group (6903ESG) ("Skivvy Nine") (ESC)

1983 August 5 ~ 1986 October 14
Misawa Air Base
Misawa, Aomori, Honshu, Japan
6920th Electronic Security Group (6920ESG) (ESC)

1986 October 23 ~ 1994 February 1
Truman Annex - Naval Air Station Key West
Key West, Florida
6947th Electronic Security Squadron (6947ESS) (ESC)
23rd Intelligence Squadron (23IS) (AFIC/AIA)

1994 February 22 ~ 1998 June 11
Hickam Air Force Base
Honolulu, Hawaii
692nd Intelligence Wing (692IW) (AIA)
National Security Agency - Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) Pacific (NCPAC) - Camp Smith
Pacific Cryptologic Support Center (PCSC) - Kunia Tunnel
Warfighter SIGINT Support Center (WSSC) - Kunia Tunnel
Kunia Tunnel = Kunia Regional SIGINT Operations Center (KRSOC)
324th Intelligence Squadron (324IS) (AIA)


Ranks



I reached my goal: Master Sergeant.  I always intended to make the Air Force a career and "get out at 20".  Although some of my peers put more years in and went on to become Senior Master and Chief, I do not feel any regret about not staying in longer to achieve those ranks.   Besides, I was too much of a Rebel to be considered for Chief.  I did what I intended to do.  I saw what I wanted to see...and much more.  I proved many things...to myself...and to others.  But...I left when I was ready to leave, and I thank those who helped me along the way.


1978 May 4
Airman Basic (AB) (E-1)
Automatic (Entry Into Air Force)

1978 November 4
Promotion: Airman (Amn) (E-2)
Automatic (6 Months Time In Service)

1979 May 4
Promotion: Airman First Class (A1C) (E-3)
Automatic (1 Year Time In Service)

1981 January 1
Promotion: Senior Airman (SrA) (E-4)
Automatic (20 Months Time In Grade)

1981 December 31
Promotion: Sergeant (Sgt) (E-4S)
One Day ByPass Due to Expedited Staff Sergeant Promotion

1982 January 1
Promotion: Staff Sergeant (SSgt) (E-5)
Competitive -- !!! Success on First Attempt !!!

1987 June 1
Promotion: Technical Sergeant (TSgt) (E-6)
Competitive

1992 December 1
Promotion: Master Sergeant (MSgt) (E-7)
Competitive -- !!! Senior NCO Status !!!


Medals & Ribbons



These are my medals and ribbons.  A nice collection over 20 years.   Misawa Japan, during my earlier years, was, by far, my most rewarding assignment when it came to recognition.   As I became more confident, bolder and outspoken during my later years, I got screwed in Key West (1994) and Hawaii (1998) by those who felt threatened by my challenges and lack of ass-kissing.  However, I have no regrets.  I did what I set out to do.  I did what I thought was best.  And, I still achieved my rank.  I said what had to be said.  And, if some "powers that be" want to deny recognition over an entire assignment because someone dared to challenge them, then so be it.  I'd do it again...


Meritorious Service Medal (2 Medals)
For: Distinguished Meritorious Service
At: 6920th Electronic Security Group @ Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1978 November 15 ~ 1982 April 28
At: 6920th Electronic Security Group @ Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1983 August 5 ~ 1986 October 1

Air Force Commendation Medal
For: Distinguished Outstanding Service
At: 6947th Electronic Security Squadron @ Naval Air Station Key West - Florida
Period: 1986 October 23 ~ 1990 September 30

Air Force Achievement Medal
For: Outstanding Performance in Detection and Reporting of Soviet Shootdown of Korean Airlines (KAL) Flight 007 (KAL-007)
At: 6920th Electronic Security Group @ Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1983 September 1 ~ 1983 September 5

Joint Meritorious Unit Award Ribbon
For: Exceptionally Meritorious Service in Support of Joint Military Missions
At: National Security Agency - Central Security Service (NSA/CSS)
Period: 1991 June 1 ~ 1995 June 1

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon (7 Ribbons)
For: Outstanding Service in Support of Air Force Missions
At:
Period:
At:
Period:
At:
Period:
At:
Period:
At:
Period:
At:
Period:
At:
Period:

Air Force Good Conduct Medal (6 Medals)
For: Exemplary Conduct (Awarded Every 3 Years)
Period: 1978 May 4 ~ 1981 May 3
Period: 1981 May 4 ~ 1984 May 3
Period: 1984 May 4 ~ 1987 May 3
Period: 1987 May 4 ~ 1990 May 3
Period: 1990 May 4 ~ 1993 May 3
Period: 1993 May 4 ~ 1996 May 3

National Defense Service Medal
For: Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Period: 1990 August 2 ~ 1995 November 30

Korea Defense Service Medal
For: Service in Korea to Uphold the Armistice Between North/South Korea
At: 6903rd Electronic Security Group @ Osan Air Base - Korea
Period: 1982 June 24 ~ 1983 August 3

Humanitarian Service Medal
For: Hurricane Andrew (Florida)
At: 6947th Electronic Security Squadron @ Naval Air Station Key West - Florida
Period: 1992 August 24 ~ 1992 November 1

Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
For: Service in Overseas Area on Remote/Unaccompanied Tour
At: 6903rd Electronic Security Group @ Osan Air Base - Korea
Period: 1982 June 24 ~ 1983 August 3

Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (2 Ribbons)
For: Service in Overseas Area
At: 6920th Electronic Security Group @ Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1978 November 13 ~ 1983 June 10
At: 6920th Electronic Security Group @ Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1983 August 5 ~ 1986 October 14

Longevity Service Award Ribbon (5 Ribbons)
For: Honorable Active Service (Awarded Every 4 Years)
Period: 1978 May 4 ~ 1982 May 3
Period: 1982 May 4 ~ 1986 May 3
Period: 1986 May 4 ~ 1990 May 3
Period: 1990 May 4 ~ 1994 May 3
Period: 1994 May 4 ~ 1998 May 3

Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon (2 Ribbons)
For: NCO Leadership School
At: Misawa Air Base - Japan
Period: 1986 January 13 ~ 1986 February 5
For: NCO Academy
At: Goodfellow Air Force Base - Texas
Period: 1989 February 13 ~ 1989 March 7

Air Force Training Ribbon
For: Completion of Basic Military Training
At: 3702nd Basic Military Training Squadron @ Lackland Air Force Base - Texas
Period: 1978 May 4 ~ 1978 June 19


Honor Graduate


Honor Graduate Award


For: Highest Overall Academic Class Average Among Class Members
At: 3481st School Squadron @ Goodfellow Air Force Base - Texas
Period: 1978 June 19 ~ 1978 October 13

Coming From These Guys...It's a COMPLIMENT!!!

From CMSgt Gerard "Jerry" Gething and LCDR Bob Ray Nicholson

23~28 January 1998
For: Speaking My Mind and Not Kissing Gething's and Nicholson's Asses

Gething Remarks About/To MSgt Sgrignoli:
-- "To say I was shocked at reading your editorial would be an understatement..."
-- "You should be ashamed of yourself..."
-- "Your behavior has 'blackened the eyes' of Air Force Senior NCOs the world over..."
-- "Yada Yada Yada..."

Nicholson Remarks About/To MSgt Sgrignoli:
-- "[MSgt Sgrignoli] is an embarrassment to the uniform..."
-- "[MSgt Sgrignoli] is a bit disturbing in light of his Senior NCO status..."
-- "Get [MSgt Sgrignoli] away from the junior enlisted and where he can't corrupt them any longer..."
-- "And More Yada Yada Yada..."

My Response: "Coming from THESE two losers, I take their comments as COMPLIMENTS!"

Note: Nicholson's reference to my "Corruption of the Junior Enlisted" is actually his sentiment of my statements on the NSA Intranet ('Enlighten') which support junior enlisted standing up and being assertive to senior-ranking NCOs and officers who abuse their position/authority. Obviously, Nicholson and Gething feel "threatened" if junior enlisted personnel learn not to kiss their ass.