After more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force, Senior Master Sgt. Tiawanna Dunn assigned to the 23rd Bomber Generation Squadron has built a career defined by perseverance, mentorship and a commitment to taking care of Airmen. SMSgt Dunn, who enlisted in February 2004, originally joined the Air Force with a simple goal, to see the world.

Raised in San Bernardino, California, but born in the village of Angie, Louisiana, SMSgt Dunn spent most of her childhood in Southern California before returning to Louisiana during her senior year of high school after several family losses. The move, she said, created a sense of uncertainty during a pivotal time in her life.

“I wanted to travel,” SMSgt Dunn said during a recent interview. “Since I wanted to travel my options were either to be a flight attendant or join the military.” Ultimately, timing and the desire for stability led her toward the Air Force. She enlisted out of Louisiana shortly after graduating high school.

Unlike many recruits who envision only a short enlistment, SMSgt Dunn said she joined with the intention of making the military a career. “I know everyone always says they didn’t plan to stay,” she said. “But I did. I wanted to do 20 years.”

Still, the early years of her career were not without challenges. During her first assignment, SMSgt Dunn endured struggles as a young Airman due to poor supervision from leaders who didn’t take her development or that of her peers seriously.

That turning point came when she attended Airman Leadership School three years into her first tour. “I loved it,” she said. “I loved the big Air Force picture, the mission, the impact of what we were doing.” The experience helped her realize she possessed leadership qualities she had not previously recognized. “That’s when it clicked,” she said. “I realized I could do this long-term and do something bigger than myself.”

Over the years, SMSgt Dunn’s career has taken her across the globe. She and her family have completed nine permanent changes of station moves, spending approximately 15 years overseas. She first arrived at Minot Air Force Base in 2012 and returned in the summer of 2024 for her second assignment there.

Serving at Minot, part of Air Force Global Strike Command, carries a unique weight, SMSgt Dunn said. “The mission here is really big, and the expectations for NCOs are really big,” she explained. “Being in a leadership position and overseeing Airmen executing that mission is huge.”

Throughout her career, SMSgt Dunn said her motivations for staying in the Air Force have evolved. While travel initially drew her in, mentorship and advocacy for younger Airmen have become the driving forces behind her continued service.

“I didn’t know as much about the military as people who grew up in it,” she said. “I felt disadvantaged when I first joined. I needed a lot of guidance.” That experience shaped her leadership philosophy. “I care a lot about the Airmen coming up behind me,” she said. “Helping them navigate their careers is what’s kept me in.”

Balancing military service with family life has also been a defining aspect of SMSgt Dunn’s career. Married to another service member Senior Master Sergeant Rodney Dunn serving with the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron, the couple has spent years coordinating assignments, deployments and training schedules to support each other’s careers. Despite the challenges, she credits open communication and firm boundaries for maintaining that balance. “There are certain things that are deal breakers for me,” she said. “Missing big moments for my kids has to be for something truly critical.”

SMSgt Dunn recently reached a new milestone in her career, earning the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. The news, she said, came unexpectedly. Her husband was the one who called her at work to tell her about the promotion, making the moment both joyful and bittersweet, as he had also been eligible for selection. “We had always joked that I would beat him to Chief,” she said with a laugh. “So it was funny, but also a little surreal.”
SMSgt Dunn, who is serving as a First Sergeant, often called “the shirt” said achieving the rank was never a specific career goal. “I never set out to be a Chief,” she said. “It just feels weird because it wasn’t something I deliberately chased.” As she prepares to transition back into her Communications career field and taking off the diamond, she said her focus as a Chief will remain the same as it has throughout her career: advocating for people.

“I want to keep taking care of Airmen and doing the right thing,” she said. “Too many times people are in the right position with the right rank and they don’t do the right thing. I want to make sure I continue to be the person who does, even when it’s hard.”

Looking back on her journey from a struggling young Airman to now being selected for the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, Tiawanna Dunn encourages others to take a broader view of their careers. “I know promotions and positions are important,” she said. “But people don’t take enough time to enjoy the journey.” Her advice to younger service members is simple, “take the scenic route when you can,” she said. “If you enjoy the journey, you’ll enjoy your career a lot more.”