Floor Speech2026-03-24

RECOGNIZING CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT SELECT RICHELLE MONIQUE CALVO ESPERANZA

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E256] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT SELECT RICHELLE MONIQUE CALVO ESPERANZA ______ HON. JAMES C. MOYLAN of guam in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize a distinguished service member, a proven leader, and a proud daughter of Guam--Richelle Monique Calvo Esperanza--on the occasion of her promotion to Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. This selection represents one of the highest achievements within the enlisted force. It is a distinction earned by a select few--those who have demonstrated not only technical expertise, but sustained leadership, integrity, and the trust of those they serve alongside. Chief Master Sergeant Esperanza currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 71st Force Support Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. In this role, she leads a team of over 140 personnel-- military, civilian, and contractors--supporting more than 7,000 Airmen and their families while managing millions of dollars in resources critical to mission readiness. Her responsibilities span everything from personnel and family support to education, readiness, and casualty services--work that directly impacts the strength and resilience of our force. But beyond the scope of her responsibilities is the journey that brought her here. Chief Master Sergeant Select Esperanza hails from Santa Rita, Guam. After graduating from Guam High School in 2007, she made the decision to serve--enlisting in the United States Air Force in April 2008. Over the past 18 years of service and counting, she has built a career marked by steady progression, increasing responsibility, and operational excellence. She has served at the squadron, group, and wing levels. She has deployed in support of Operations New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Spartan Shield, contributing directly to U.S. military operations abroad. She has also distinguished herself academically-- earning both a bachelor's and master's degree in management while completing the Air Force's most rigorous professional military education programs. Her record reflects not just competence, but excellence--recognized through numerous awards, including Senior Non- Commissioned Officer of the Year honors and a distinguished graduate distinctions throughout her career. But what makes this moment especially meaningful is what she represents. For Guam, a small island with a deep tradition of military service, leaders like Chief Master Sergeant Select Esperanza are a source of immense pride. She represents the values we hold close: service, humility, resilience, and a commitment to something greater than oneself. She represents the generations of families in Guam who have answered the call to serve. And she represents what is possible when talent, discipline, and opportunity come together. She is also grounded in family. She is married to Second Lieutenant Emery Esperanza, himself a prior enlisted Airman who recently earned his commission. Together, they are raising two children, Emelia and Emery, continuing a legacy of service and leadership. She is the daughter of Ricardo and Carmelita Calvo of Santa Rita, whose pride today is shared by the entire island of Guam. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation depends on strong, capable leadership within our Armed Forces, the promotion of leaders like Chief Master Sergeant Select Esperanza sends a clear message--that excellence is honored, and that leadership matters. Her journey, from Guam to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, is not just a personal achievement. It is a reflection of the strength of our communities and the enduring contributions of Guam to the defense of our Nation. I congratulate Chief Master Sergeant Select Richelle Monique Calvo Esperanza on this extraordinary milestone. We thank her for her service, we honor her leadership, and we do so with immense pride as she continues to represent Guam and our Nation with distinction in the years ahead. ____________________

View original source →