Retired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson was inducted into the Order of the Sword Sept. 13, 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
Roberson was selected for this honor due to his unyielding devotion and care of Air Education and Training Command Airmen and their mission during his time as commander July 2015 to December 2017.
“Gen. Roberson has done some phenomenal things,” said Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, command chief of AETC. “He secured the force development command for not only Air Education and Training Command but Airmen across the Air Force. He helped us move forward in new ways, to train, to educate and capture the experiences of our Airmen. The impact he is leaving on the Air Force is huge.”
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. RamosRetired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson gives a speech during an Order of the Sword ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 13, 2018. Roberson served as the commander of Air Education and Training Command from July 2015 to December 2017 and received the Order of the Sword, the highest honor the Air Force Enlisted Corps can bestow upon an individual.
The Order of the Sword was adopted by Air Force noncommissioned officers in 1967. The Order of the Sword was patterned after the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword with evidence of existence as early as 1522. This is the highest honor and tribute the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow upon an individual.
“I can’t thank the enlisted corps enough,” said Roberson. “The opportunity to come back and be recognized in this way is really special, it means a lot to me.”
Officers nominated to receive the Order of the Sword have gone through a rigorous selection process with the order being given only about once each decade.
“It means so much and we don’t just want to give the order of the sword away,” Gudgel said. “We have to protect the order of the sword legacy to ensure only the most deserving officers are inducted into the highest honor of our enlisted corps.”
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. RamosChief Master Sgt. Charlie Mills, Profession of Arms Center of Excellence superintendent, provides the invocation during an Order of the Sword Ceremony honoring retired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 13, 2018. The Order of the Sword is patterned after the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword and is the highest honor and tribute the Air Force Enlisted Corps can bestow upon an individual.
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. RamosA scroll is presented to retired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson during an Order of the Sword ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 13, 2018. Roberson served as the commander of Air Education and Training Command from July 2015 to December 2017.
Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Jacob WongwaiRetired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson poses in a group photo with Air Education and Training Command Chiefs Sept. 13, 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Roberson was inducted into the Order of the Sword, the most prestigious honor given by the enlisted corps.
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. RamosEnlisted Airmen sign a scroll in honor of retired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson prior to an Order of the Sword Ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 13, 2018. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the Air Force Enlisted Corps can bestow upon an individual.
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. RamosRetired Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson walks down a red carpet during an Order of the Sword Ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 13, 2018. The Order of the Sword is patterned after the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword and is the highest honor and tribute the Air Force Enlisted Corps can bestow upon an individual.
