Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits Scott Published Jan. 15, 2015 By Senior Airman Tristin English 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Force is moving forward with new initiatives that affect enlisted members and all Airmen must lead through the changes. Those were just two messages from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody during his visit here Jan. 11-13. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sergeant Athena Cody, spent two days meeting with Airmen to thank them for what they do, answer their questions and discuss changes including the Enlisted Evaluation System and force management programs. During an Airman's Call, one Airman asked how the new Enlisted Performance Reports would promote teamwork. Cody explained that the Air Force understands and values the importance of teamwork, and it would reflect in the evaluations. "We understand that our strength is in the team," said Cody. "You've been taught since basic training to come together as a team. We value teamwork. We don't value stepping over everyone else to make yourself look better." Cody expressed that suicide, domestic violence, financial hardships, sexual harassment and sexual assault are great concerns to him. "Those are the emails I dread to see in my box. That's what keeps me up at night. We have to continue to find better ways to support you and your families. What we do is hard. It's hard on you, and it's hard on your families so we have to somehow get after this in a different way," said Cody. Other topics discussed were the fiscal constraints, tuition assistance, training, promotions and retirements. Cody said, "Last year was tough for us because we had to go through a lot of stuff--tough stuff. [The] mission is always hard, but with great Airmen like you, we got it done. We will create as much stability as we can go forward, but it's going to be a challenge. We just have to keep moving forward." Staff Sgt. Amber Kelly-Herard, 18th Air Force Command Chief Executive Assistant, said "I thought Chief Cody was very honest in giving us the answers, even if he felt we weren't going to like it. I also was impressed by him staying afterward inviting anyone to come speak to him and his wife." When asked for advice for young Airmen, Cody said, "Keep it simple. Do your best every day. Be the best Airman, and be the best person. You won't be the best every day, you won't always be No. 1, and you won't always be in that mode but that's OK. Nobody really is. Just do your best for as long as you can and you may be standing up here someday. Maybe you won't, but that doesn't mean it's going to define how successful you are and how important you are to our Air Force."