De Poe retires
after 31 years in
the Air Force
Biography provided by the Washington
Air National Guard
Chief Master Sergeant Cynthia A.
DePoe is the NCOIC, Professional Devel
opment and serves as the superintendent
of Force Development for 194,h Wing.
DePoe, a member of the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians, was bom in Seat
tle, Wash., and graduated from Marysville
Pilchuck High School in Marysville,
Wash., in 1982. In 1992, she received an
associate degree in instructional systems
technology from the Community College
of the Air Force. She received her bach
elor’s degree in 1997 from the Southern
Illinois University (SIU) in workforce
education and development.
DePoe enlisted in the Delayed
Enlisted Program in April 1982 and was
called to active duty on Nov. 19, 1982.
After completing basic military training
at Lackland AFB, Texas, she began train
ing as a law enforcement specialist at
Lackland - where she first met her future
husband, Mark.
Her first assignment was to Kwang-
Ju Air Base, with the 6171 ABS, Korea.
She left Korea in 1984 and was assigned
to the 3700 Security Police Squadron at
Lackland, where she ran into her still-to-
be future husband again in 1985.
In 1987, DePoe retrained into her
present Air Force specialty and was
reassigned to Sheppard AFB, Texas. Her
next assignment was to the 90Ih Mission
Support Squadron, Cheyenne, Wyo., as
the assistant base training manager. In
February 1990, she assumed the respon
sibilities of the base training manager,
overseeing the base’s On-the-Job Training
programs for 12 organizations and setting
base policy on training matters.
In November 1990, DePoe left active
duty and joined the Washington Air National
Guard. She was assigned to the 215th
Engineering Installation Squadron from
November 1990 until May 1991 as an infor
mation manager. In May of that same year
she transferred to the 143rd Combat Com
munications Squadron, where she served
as the unit’s full time unit training manager.
In 1997, while completing her bach
elor’s degree in workforce education and
development, she and her husband were
blessed with their first child, Brianna
Natasha, now a sophomore at Emerald
Ridge High School.
DePoe transferred to Camp Murray,
Wash., in 1999 and worked at the 111th
Air Support Operations Center Squadron
(ASOC) as its support services technician.
In 2000, she was assigned to her current
full-time position as the superintendent
of Force Development for the 194th RSW.
Two years later their second child
was bom, Gabriel DePoe, named after his
great-grandfather, Chief DePoe.
In 2006, DePoe assumed the added
duties of NCOIC, Professional Develop
ment for the Headquarters Washington
Air National Guard.
DePoe’s awards and decorations
include: Air Force Meritorious Service
Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Air
Force Commendation Medal, First Oak
Courtesy photo
Congratulations to Cynthia DePoe on her retirement from the Air Force after 31 years. Pictured here at her retirement ceremony
are her grandfather, Chewescla DePoe; Ed Ben; Cynthia DePoe; her father, Ron DePoe; Stan Werth; and Tony Molina. Ben,
Werth and Molina are members of the Siletz Tribal Honor Guard.
Leaf Cluster, Washington State Meritori
ous Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf
Cluster, Military Outstanding Volunteer
Service Medal, Washington State Com
mendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster
and the Washington State Achievement
Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster.
For more than 30 years, DePoe has
stood in the forefront of every unit she has
been assigned to. She has led by example
and been a constant beacon of light to
those around her, championing diversity
not only in the day-to-day lives of those
she has worked with, but as a driving
force behind the Diversity Council for the
Washington National Guard.
DePoe’s conviction, dedication and
steadfast determination has been an inspi
ration to her fellow airman. Throughout
her distinguished career, she has epito
mized the Air Force core values in words
and action. She has not only mentored all
levels of the enlisted force, but many of
the officers around her seek her counsel.
Over the course of her career, DePoe’s
diverse communication experience, expert
training methods and unwavering “others
before self’ approach have been pivotal in
creating an environment that fosters self
motivation and professionalism in all. As
she leaves our ranks behind her a legacy
remains of outstanding performance and
true dedication that all will remember as
the epitome of excellence.
DePoe is married to Mark M. Soulier,
who is assigned to the 194th Mission Sup
port Group as the wing logistics manager
and they have two children, Brianna (16)
and Gabriel (11).
Photos by Mandi Smith
Jerry Marzan (below) joins other
Native and non-Native veterans at the
ceremony. The senior class (right)
thanks veterans for their service. Ed
Ben (below right) returns a flag to
Bev Youngman as Spencer Hatch and
Randy Austin look on. The flag
originally was presented to Siletz
School by June Austin, following the
death of her son, Paul Youngman,
in Vietnam.
Veterans Ceremony
Siletz Valley School • Nov. 8,2013
December 2013
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Siletz News
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