WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Eight enlisted Airmen graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology on March 23, marking one of the more historic achievements in the history of the service's enlisted force.

Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, in delivering the graduation address to a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the Air Force Museum, called it a great day for enlisted Airmen.

"I am particularly proud to see our first enlisted AFIT graduates today, representing the first of many senior (noncommissioned officers) who will attend classes here," he said. "I consider your attendance at AFIT long overdue, and I am extremely proud that this program has come to fruition.

"I congratulate each of you on earning your degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology -- known to be one tough school," he said.

The secretary said the continuing development of the enlisted force is a big reason why the U.S. Air Force enjoys the status it has in the world today.

"In my travels around the world, foreign political and military leaders continually ask how we field such a talented, dedicated and capable enlisted corps," he said. "Our enlisted corps is the major reason we have the most respected air and space force on the planet."

Along with the eight Air Force graduates, six Marine senior NCOs also graduated during the ceremony.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray, who attended the ceremonies along with Secretary Roche, said it was not only a great day for the enlisted force, but for the entire Air Force as well.

"These senior NCOs have now gained a focused education, concentrating on studies that benefit our Air Force," Chief Murray said. "They built that education on top of experience that they had already gained from the service. When you couple that with the education gained by these young officers and civilians here tonight, you get improvements in not only the capabilities of our force, but also in the relationships between the people who make up our great Air Force -- the officers, the enlisted and the civilians. Today is a great day for our Air Force."

The eight Air Force graduates are: Chief Master Sgt. Don Clabaugh, Senior Master Sgts. Stephanie Carroll and Francis Szabo, and Master Sgts. Charlie Cruz, James Kuntzelman, Duane Sorgaard, Edward Mathews and Dan Swayne.