CMSgt Wendell J. Snider is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Installations, Environment and Energy, Headquarters Air Force (SAF/IE). The office has overall responsibility for installations strategy and strategic basing processes; built and natural infrastructure; facility, process and operational energy; environment, safety and occupational health. SAF/IE ensures the sustainability and operational readiness of the Department of the Air Force.
Chief Snider grew up in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. In 1995, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Attached to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he supported Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR and Operation ALLIED FORCE. After serving honorably within the Marine Corps, Chief Snider departed the organization in 1999. He entered the Air Force in 2000. Upon entering, he completed the Structural Apprentice Course at the Naval Construction Training Center located in Gulfport, Mississippi. His first Air Force assignment was to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Forces Japan, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
EDUCATION
2001 Structural Apprentice Course, Naval Construction Training Center, MS
2002 Airman Leadership School, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
2003 Associates of Applied Science in Construction Technology, CCAF, AL
2005 Basic Instructor Course, Best Presenter Award, Keesler AFB, MS
2006 Instructional Systems Development Course, Keesler AFB, MS
2006 Associates of Applied Science in Instructor of Technology and Military Science, CCAF, AL
2009 Master Instructor Certificate & CCAF Occupational Instructor Certification
2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, MS
2009 Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Distance Learning, Air University, AL
2010 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I Course, Joint Forces Staff College, VA
2011 Bachelor of Science in Religion, Magna Cum Laude, Liberty University, VA
2011 CCAF Professional Manager Certification
2012 AFIT Civil Engineer Superintendents Course, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
2012 Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2015 Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, Liberty University, VA
2017 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Course
2017 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Andrews AFB, MD
2018 Continuous Process Improvement Executives Course, Institute for Defense Business, VA
2018 Leading Strategically Program, Center for Creative Leadership, CO
2019 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2019 Generations & Conflict Management Seminar, Boise State University, ID
2019 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Capitol Hill Club, Washington D.C.
2021 Project Management Certificate, Cornell University, NY
2021 Keystone Course, National Defense University, VA
2021 Project Management Professional Credential, Project Management Institute Inc., PA
2022 Senior Leader Security Seminar, AFOSI, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
April 2001 – September 2001, Structural Apprentice, 43 CES, Pope AFB, North Carolina
September 2001 – October 2004, Structural Journeyman, 4 CES, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
•2002 Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, 376 ECES, Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan
•2003 Operations ENDURING/IRAQI FREEDOM, 379 ECES, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
October 2004 – Feb 2011 Instructor Supervisor, 366TRS Detachment 6, NCTC Gulfport, Mississippi
•2008 Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Gardez Provincial Reconstruction Team, Afghanistan
March 2011 – August 2011, Structures Section Chief, Squadron 18 CES, Kadena AB, Japan
August 2011 – August 2012, Squadron Superintendent, 718 CES, Kadena AB, Japan
November 2012 – July 2013, Heavy Repair Superintendent, 18 CES, Kadena AB, Japan
•2013 Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, NCOIC RSC-West Engineer Cell, Herat, Afghanistan
November 2013 – June 2014, Section Chief Requirements/Optimization, 18 CES, Kadena AB, Japan
June 2014 – February 2015, Operations Flight Superintendent, 18 CES, Kadena AB, Japan
March 2015 – July 2016, Operations Flight Chief, 90 CES, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
July 2016 – December 2016, Interim Group Superintendent, 90 MSG, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
December 2016 – June 2018, Commandant, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, Texas
June 2018 – May 2020, Command Chief, 366 FW, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
June 2020 – August 2021, Command Chief, 502 ABW, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
August 2021– August 2023, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Forces Japan, Yokota AB, Japan
August 2023 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Installations, Environment and Energy, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, DC
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one bronze star
Air Force Combat Action Medal
U.S. ALLY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Japan Defense Cooperation Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2000 Distinguished Graduate, Structural Apprentice Course, Naval Construction Training Center
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School, Seymour Johnson AFB
2009 Major General Eugene A. Lupia Award (Civil Engineer Superior Job Performance), AETC
2011 SNCO of the Year, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB
2012 Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award, 18th Wing, Kadena AB
2014 SNCO of the Year, 18th Civil Engineer Group, Kadena AB 2015 Larry R. Daniels Award (Civil Engineer Military Superintendent of the Year), AFGSC
2020 ACC Nominated/Served on CINC Installation Excellence Award Selection Board
2023 Certificate of Commendation from Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant 1 August 2016
(Current as of Aug 2023)