Carlene Joseph, vice president of business development and military relations with Harborstone Credit Union, was named an Honorary Command Chief Master Sergeant during a ceremony held March 19 at the McChord Field Club.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the first military installation in the country to bestow such an honor, said Command Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Warren, CMS of the 62nd Airlift Wing. Warren was instrumental in helping bestow the honor "as a way to recognize Carlene for all that she has done over the last 30 years," he said.

Joseph serves as the Pierce Military & Business Alliance president; Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter president; Air Force Association (AFA) McChord Chapter vice president; and Support America's Armed Forces vice president. "It's not volunteer work for her," Warren said. "It's more than that. It's her life."  

"McChord has always had a very special place in my heart," said Joseph, whose father retired from McChord in 1972 and whose husband, Andrew, is a retired Air Force Reservist. When Warren and Command Chief Master Sgt. Gloria Bennett from McChord's 446th Airlift Wing created the award for her, "I was totally touched by their gesture," she said. "It's also very touching to be recognized for something that I enjoy doing, which is taking care of our Air Force families in a variety of ways.  It just makes me want to do more."

"It was an easy choice," said Warren. "She's a great American, a true patriot and is as much an Airman as any Airman I know wearing a uniform."

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the annual Chief Recognition Ceremony, and Joseph received a plaque with the CMS stripes and certificate honoring her accomplishments. "There are no duties involved," Warren said of the accolade. "She does it all anyway."