Chief Master Sgt. Robert L. Hartzog is the command chief master sergeant at the 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. As the wing's senior enlisted leader, he advises the wing commander and staff on matters such as readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of more than 1,100 enlisted personnel. Chief Hartzog demonstrates leadership, delivers commanders' intent, and provides program support for the wing's enlisted force.
Chief Hartzog entered the South Carolina Air National Guard in February 1987. He completed the F-16 Fuel Systems Specialist School at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, in 1988. Since then, he has held various positions, including F-16 avionics technician, logistics plans specialist, budget analyst, communications plans and programs specialist, cyber operations chief enlisted manager and A-4 logistics superintendent. During his 37-year career, Chief Hartzog has excelled in many different leadership roles at the squadron, group and headquarters level.
Chief Hartzog deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 1990 to April 1991 in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. He also participated in many unit deployments with the flying operation to include the first Air Expeditionary Force hosted in Qatar. Prior to his current position, he served as the chief enlisted manager of the 169th Fighter Wing Command Post at McEntire JNGB.
EDUCATION
1988 Fuel Systems Specialist School, Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
1989 Noncommissioned Officer Orientation Course, by correspondence
1992 Avionics Communications and Navigation Specialist, Lowry AFB, Colo.
1993 Avionics Fire Control Radar Specialist, Shaw AFB, S.C.
1994 Avionics Flight Controls Specialist, Shaw AFB, S.C.
1998 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn.
1998 Logistics Planner Specialist, Lackland AFB, Texas
2000 Communications Plans and Programs Specialist, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2004 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala. by correspondence
2012 CompTIA Certified, Microsoft Security +, Project +, Columbia, S.C.
2012 Air National Guard Chiefs Executive Course, Washington, D.C.
2013 Air Force Project Management Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2016 FEMA Domestic Operations Support Training, Columbia, S.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1987 – April 1987, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. April 1987 – November 1987, Student, F-16 Fuel Systems Specialist School, Chanute AFB, Ill.
3. December 1988 – April 1992, F-16 Fuel Systems Specialist, 169th Maintenance Squadron, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C. (December 1990 – April 1991, F-16 Fuel Systems Specialist, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
4. November 1991 – April 1992, Student, Avionics Systems Specialist School, Lowry AFB, Colo.
5. April 1992 – October 1998, Avionics Flightline Technician, 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C. (March 1997 – April 1997, Avionics Flightline Technician, 169th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Doha, Qatar)
6. October 1998 – December 1998, Student, Logistics Planner Specialist School, Lackland AFB, Texas
7. October 1999 – November 1999, Deployment Manager, 169th Maintenance Group, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
8. November 1999 - October 2000, Budget Analyst, 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
9. October 2000 – February 2004, Communications Plans and Programs Technician, 169th Communications Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
10. February 2004 – November 2009, Communications Plans and Resources Superintendent, 169th Communications Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
11. November 2009 – December 2011, Cyber Operations Superintendent, 169th Communications Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
12. December 2011 – January 2016, Chief Enlisted Manager, 169th Communications Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
13. January 2016 – May 2019, A-4 Logistics Superintendent, Joint Force Headquarters-SC, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
14. June 2019 – August 2024, Command Post Chief Enlisted Manager, 169 Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
15. August 2022 – Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic March 1, 1987
Airman Sept. 1, 1987
Airman First Class Sept. 1, 1988
Senior Airman Dec. 1, 1989
Staff Sergeant Oct. 1, 1991
Technical Sergeant July 1, 1999
Master Sergeant July 1, 2002
Senior Master Sergeant May 1, 2005
Chief Master Sergeant Dec. 1, 2011
(Current as of September 2024)