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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      sword presenationGen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command commander (center) is presented with his personal sword during his Order of the Sword ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, May 13, 2022. The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded by noncommissioned officers to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to the well-being and development of the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darrius Parker)
                
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Bunch inducted into Order of the SwordPublished May 17, 2022
                    
                    By Marisa Alia-Novobilski
                    
                    
                    Air Force Materiel Command
            **WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --**In a ceremony awash with military tradition and revelry,**Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr.**, was inducted into the**Air Force Materiel Command**Order of the Sword at the**National Museum of the United States Air Force**, May 13.
The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon a military officer for providing significant support and contribution toward the development and welfare of the Airmen to whom they serve.


    
    Order of sword ceremony photoGen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command and Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi, AFMC command chief, sit on stage during the official Order of the Sword ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, May 13, 2022. The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded by noncommissioned officers to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to the well-being and development of the enlisted force. Bunch was selected to receive the honor by the AFMC enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darrius Parker)
            
            
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                Download Hi-Res said.Bunch is one of only 10 AFMC officers to be inducted into Order of the Sword in command history, which includes more than 300 membersenterprise-wide. According to **Chief Master Sgt. DavidFlosi**, AFMCcommand chief, Bunch’s genuine dedication to the welfare, morale and development of the more than 13,000 enlisted Airmen in the organization led to his nomination and subsequent induction.“This honor is never given; it is earned,”Flosi said. “It is one thing to listen. It's something else altogether to actually do something about what you hear. There is no other honor that allows us to properly thank you for your servant leadership. The Order of the Sword is truly appropriate for what you have done and what you will continue to do as our general. You certainly didn't ask for it; you certainly didn't expect it. You earned it.”proclamation presentation photoGen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command Commander is presented with the official Order of the Sword proclamation during a ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, May 13, 2022. The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded by noncommissioned officers to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to the well-being and development of the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darrius Parker)
            
            
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The official ceremony included the presentation of the Order of the Sword proclamation, a reading of the citation accompanying the award, a ceremonial scroll signed by the attendees attesting to Bunch’s service and leadership, and the bestowal of a personal sword. Nearly 250 individuals attended the historical event.The proclamation read, “Your personal and professional dignity, your pride in the uniform we all wear, and your performance as an unequaled spokesman for a strong national defense have strengthened and inspired your enlisted force to set and maintain the highest goals for excellence.”“For you to bestow this honor upon me is remarkable, and I am almost at a complete loss for words. I have been honored and privileged to work for you in this role for the past three years and for many other leaders for the past 38 years. My belief has always been that I work for all of you, and I have tried to live my life as a servant leader, to take care of Airmen and their families, and to have that recognized by you today isabsolutely amazing,” Bunch said.honor guardThe Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors at the official Order of the Sword ceremony for Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, May 13, 2022. The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded by noncommissioned officers to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to the well-being and development of the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darrius Parker)
            
            
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The Order of the Sword tradition extends back to the early 12th century. During this time, medieval noncommissioned officers would honor their leaders and pledge loyalty by presenting them with a ceremonial sword. The sword symbolized truth,justice and righteous power, and it served as a visual token that indicated the individual was a “leader among leaders.”The tradition carried forward through the ages and arrived in the U.S. during Revolutionary War times. Though dormant for many years, the custom was eventually revived and became known as the Royal Order of the Sword, adopted by Air Force noncommissioned officers in 1967.To learn more about the history of the Order of the Sword honor, visit **here**.FS 



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