Bernise F. Belcer, the first female Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., will speak at The Citadel on Thursday, Sept. 18 in honor of the Air Force’s 61st birthday.

Belcer advises the wing commander, four group and 21 squadron commanders on the health, welfare, morale, and effective use of 3,500 enlisted members. She serves as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, and boards and she ensures the combat readiness of the base through sound enlisted policies, practices, and training.

A graduate of Marion High School in Marion, S.C., Belcer joined the Air Force in 1978. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and a distinguished graduate of the Air Force NCO Preparatory School.

Belcer will speak at 4:30 p.m. in the Greater Issues Room of Mark Clark Hall. Afterward there will be a cake cutting to celebrate the Air Force birthday. The event is open to the public.