CHIEF MASTER Sgt. Jennifer Cirricione spent 28 years serving in the Air Force. She began her military career in parachute rigging, a role she enjoyed, but Cirricione realized she had a knack for mentoring others and helping them through crises. She decided to pursue a position that would allow her to advocate for her fellow airmen.
“I sort of saw that as my calling,” Cirricione said. “I really enjoyed that.”
She jumped headfirst into taking on one of the military’s most challenging roles — first sergeant. It is a special duty assignment focused entirely on the health, morale, and welfare of airmen. This was exactly what Cirricione knew she was meant to do, but the job came with some significant responsibilities. She was issued a government cell phone that could ring at all hours of the day and night. Cirricione was the first call when an airman needed support, such as if an airman got arrested, if a domestic situation turned serious, or if someone was killed.
She was also the one who showed up to aid a family when an airman’s house caught fire, and they lost everything.
“I became the conduit for the entire community,” she said.
Within a week, she had secured the family with a fully furnished home, thanks to businesses and neighbors who rallied around them.
“There was a lot of goodness that came along with the job,” Cirricione said.
As she often saw them at difficult moments in their lives, whether through tragedy or the choices they had made, Cirricione worked hard to ensure the airmen felt they had someone supporting them.
Her passion for assisting her fellow airmen stemmed from a situation where a supervisor, who did not believe women belonged in the military, nearly pushed her out. But Cirricione stayed. She carried that experience into every leadership role that followed.
“Never let someone else decide your fate,” she said. “You can take something good away from every situation, even if it’s what not to do.”
Cirricione said she is especially adamant that everyone be treated fairly and equally, even in tough moments.
“Everybody gets treated with dignity and respect, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or religion. None of that matters when you show up to work. What matters is whether you show up on time. Do you work hard? Do you take care of your people?” Cirricione said.
Cirricione came to Tullahoma in 2021 and held the chief position at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). She and her husband, Michael Cirricione, had talked about Tennessee for years, and it seemed like the right time. They discovered a love for the rolling hills and small-town pace of their new home, and when retirement came last year, the couple chose to stay rather than accept another assignment elsewhere.
But dedicated people who love their work do not stay retired long, and Cirricione was no exception. Before she had even officially retired, she had already submitted an application for an employee relations manager position with the contractor BNH on base. The role involves advising supervisors and employees when issues arise to facilitate resolution and offer support. It also allows her to build and lead training programs.
“It was like it was calling to me,” she said, smiling.
She finished her job in July and started her new job on Aug. 11. Though it was a short-lived retirement, the new position allowed her to continue doing what she loved.
Now primarily on base, Cirricione said she is surprised how little people understand about what is there. Most people, she said, think of the base as a place for engineers and scientists. But the base needs employees of all kinds.
“AEDC has just about every career you could imagine,” Cirricione said. “We’re like our own city, really.”
Cirricione’s military career is impressive, and she has made a difference in the lives of many in the Air Force. Her purpose, even in leadership roles, has always been to help others. It was never the glory or the titles that made her career memorable.
“It was the people,” she said. “The people I’ve met, and the experiences I’ve had.” GN
