ABOUT

Master Sergeant Derek F. Miles is the Development Advisor for the 18th Wing Support Agency, 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. Sergeant Miles serves as the principal advisor to base commanders and senior enlisted leaders on enlisted retention professional development and retraining programs. Additionally, he oversees the Foundations Course 300, 500, and 700 and the First Term Enlisted Center.  

 

Sergeant Miles was born in Buffalo, NY. He graduated from the University of Buffalo in 2011 with his bachelor’s degree, where he played division three basketball and volleyball. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2012 and arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas, in January 2012 for basic training. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Section Chief assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron. Sergeant Miles is the founder of enlistedairmanguide.com and has served as a crisis response advocate for the local community.  His military awards include Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon. 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

2011  Bachelor of Arts in Media Study, University of Buffalo, Buffalo New York 

2015  Airman Leadership School, Incirlik AB, Turkey 

2017  Community College of the Air Force 

2019  Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 

2022 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, by distance learning 

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

1.  January 2012 – March 2012, Trainee, Basic Military Training, 324th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas

2.  March 2012 – October 2012, Student, Ground Radar Systems Apprentice Course, 338th Training Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi

3.  October 2012 – October 2014, Ground Radar Systems Apprentice, 65th Communication Squadron, Lajes Air Force Base, Portugal

4.  October 2014 – October 2016, Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems (RAWS) NCOIC, 39th Operations Support Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey

5.  October 2016 – August 2019, Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems (RAWS) NCOIC, 5th Operations Support Squadron (AFGSC), Minot AFB ND

6. August 2019 – January 2023, ATCALS Instillations Flight Chief, AF Flight Standards Agency (HAF), Oklahoma City, OK

7. January 2023 – July 2024, Section Chief RAWS, 18th Operations Support Squadron (PACAF), Kadena AB, Japan, 

8. July 2024 – Present, Development Advisor, 18th Wing Support Agency, 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan 

 

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

 

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon

 

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

 

2014  Gen Jumper Award for Excellence in Warfighting Integration & Info Dominance Professional of the Year, United States Air Forces in Europe 

2015  John L. Levitow Award, Airmen Leadership School 

2015  Airman of the 2nd Quarter, 39th Air Base Wing 

2015  12 Outstanding Airman of the Year 

2016  AFGSC Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems NCO of the year 

2016  NCO of the Year, 5th Operations Group 

2017  NCO of the Year, 5th Operations Group 

2018  NCO of the Year, 5th Operations Group 

2019  Distinguished Graduate NCOA, Shepard AFB, TX 

2023  SNCO of the Year, 18th Operations Group 

2023  Air Force Radar, Airfield, and Weather Systems SNCO of the year 

2025 Air Force Spark Tank Top 15 Finalist 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION

 

Airman First Class                   Jan. 11, 2012

Senior Airman                         May 11, 2014

Staff Sergeant                          June 1, 2016

Technical Sergeant                   June 1, 2019

Master Sergeant                   July 1, 2022

 

 

 

(Current as of Jul 2024)