A Lifetime of Service

A Lifetime of Service.

In addition to the distinction of having held the highest position by an enlisted female in the history of the United States Armed Forces, Chief Jelinski-Hall is considered among the most decorated female senior enlisted leaders.

Her list of major awards and decorations include the following:

Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with one star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
Air Force Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters
State of Hawaii – Distinguished Service Order

At the state and local levels, Denise established a remarkable list of “first’s” including:

At the State Level:

First and only woman Command Chief for the 154th Wing in the 70+ year history of the Hawaii Air National Guard (Originally founded in 1946 as the Hawaii Territorial Air National Guard)
First and only woman State Command Chief for the Hawaii Air National Guard
First and only woman to serve as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Hawaii National Guard
First person to serve simultaneously as both the Command Chief for the Hawaii Air National Guard and Senior Enlisted Leader for the Hawaii National Guard (Army & Air)
First and only woman in the history of the Hawaii National Guard to receive the Department of Defense “Trail Blazer Award for Women in the Military”
First enlisted member of the Hawaii National Guard to receive the State of Hawaii’s highest honor…the Distinguished Service Order

At the National Level

First and only woman to be interviewed for the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (fall of 2012). The Chief of Staff of the Air Force (General Mark Welch) said, Jelinski-Hall came in second to Chief James Cody. Approximately 25 Chief Master Sergeants were eligible.
First and only woman to serve as a Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
First and only woman to serve as a Senior Enlisted Advisor to a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
One of the Chief Master Sergeants (and first woman) to receive the Defense Superior Service Medal, in the 70+ year history of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard

And the list continues with the following honors:

Air Traffic Controller of the Year, Hawaii Air National Guard (1992)
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 297th Air Traffic Control Squadron
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Hawaii Air National Guard (2001)
Department of Defense Trailblazer Award, National Guard Bureau (2008)
Recipient of the Minuteman Award from the Enlisted Association of the National Guard (2013)