Schriever Space Force Base, Colo. --
Imagine a job where the stakes are sky-high, the margin for error is razor-thin, and the path to proving your worth is a 60-70 page gauntlet of self-reflection, peer scrutiny, and relentless standards. For four firefighters at Schriever Space Force Base — Allen Perry, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Chief, Jon Rinesmith, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron Assistant Chief for Health and Safety, Matthew Rosenbaum, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention, and Station Captain Mark Crane, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Officer — that’s not a hypothetical. It’s the reality of earning the Chief Fire Officer and Fire Officer designations from the Commission on Professional Credentialing. In a service where less than 1% of personnel hold such credentials, their achievement makes Schriever a standout — second only to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the Department of the Air Force.
This isn’t a casual nod of approval. The CPC process is grueling: a sprawling application that demands everything from resumes and organization charts to transcripts and letters of reference, all compiled into a single, meticulously ordered document. Candidates must map out their education, certifications, and contributions — not just locally, but at state and national levels. For those like Perry and Rinesmith, who held dual CFO and FO designations, or Rosenbaum, a CFO, it’s a career-spanning audit of excellence. For Crane, an FO, it’s a personal evolution.
“I wanted to become a better Fire Officer and an overall better person,” Crane said. “This forced me to focus on the future.”
The CPC doesn’t just rubber-stamp experience — it demands proof of growth. Perry, a peer reviewer since 2015, has seen it up close, interviewing approximately 30 candidates personally.
“The Commission recognizes lifelong career excellence,” Perry said. “It’s verified through a third-party process.”
Rinesmith added, “It’s a commitment to being the best for the Schriever community — an exemplary standard.”
Rosenbaum said he sees the designation as an avenue to continuously improve crucial skills, while Crane said he found it widened his view, tying his role to education and community impact.
In 2025, this matters more than ever. The Space Force isn’t just focused on orbits and satellites; it’s about protecting bases and people from all hazards — fires, emergencies, you name it. With a code of conduct that binds designees to ethical leadership, the CPC isn’t handing out easy praise or rewards.
It’s forging a cadre of firefighters who don’t just respond — they redefine what response means. Schriever’s four are proof: Excellence isn’t a gift, it’s a grind, and they’ve mastered it.