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Welcome CMSAF Roy and former CMSAF Finch, Parish!

  • Published
  • By Col. Gary Goldstone
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  On behalf of Team Scott, Mary and I would like to welcome Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy who is here for an Air Mobility Command Professional Development conference. He joins two former men who've held that position--CMSAFs Sam Parish and Jim Finch--for this rare opportunity to discuss current Air Force issues and professional development of our enlisted corps. 

The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is not a rank, but a position and represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force. These Airmen provide direction for our enlisted corps and represent those interests at all levels of government and to the American public. 

As the 16th CMSAF, Chief Roy has been out visiting bases since he began his duties in July and the message he sends is to "be the best Airman you can. Regardless of what job you have or where you are, just be the best Airman you can, and you will be recognized for that." He also wants to continue to improve enlisted members' training and education as well as their health and well-being and that of their families. 

Not only is he interested in current Airmen's needs, but he's also reaching out to retirees as well. He's a co-chair of the Air Force Retiree Council and works to inform the retiree community about how they can help make a positive contribution toward the needs of today's Airmen. 

CMSAF Roy also makes this job a family affair as his wife, Paula, is helping to kick off a training video for the Air Force's Key Spouse program. The Key Spouse program is just one way to bridge communication gaps and maintain contact with families to inform, support or refer them to services as needed. We thank him and his wife for the work they are doing on behalf of our Airmen and their families. 

All enlisted members should be familiar with former CMSAF Parish, who served from 1983 to 1986, and former CMSAF Finch, who served from July 1999 to June 2002. Some of you were probably born while they served as CMSAF. It doesn't matter though, young or old, one thing that spans the ages is good leadership and sage advice. 

One issue retired CMSAF Parish has been passionate about is preserving the heritage and contributions of the enlisted men and women. He tours the country talking about followership and the importance of families. 

In a recent interview, he said, "Whether you lead, follow or get out of the way of those that do, you can't be successful without a family. Family charges us up, and that's even more important today, because Airmen are doing so much more than they were even a few years ago." 

He also notes enlisted Airmen are doing jobs today that have never been done in the history of the Air Force. 

"If you want to see a picture of followership, just take a snapshot of the Air Force from a few years ago, and you'll see what has been accomplished since then." 

Many examples of the positive effects a CMSAF can have on the force can be seen through the example of retired CMSAF Finch. During his tenure there were many achievements such as the eliminating the "Redux" retirement system, embracing the air expeditionary force concept, increasing basic allowance for housing, targeting pay raises, and approving a new dormitory design for single airmen. Other improvements include turning around low recruitment statistics, improving retention, establishing the "First Term Airmen Center" and several advancements in educational opportunities. We all continue to benefit from these initiatives today. 

As any leader knows, you can't do the job all by yourself. You must have dedicated Airmen who know how to get the job done ... and done right. The enlisted corps is the backbone to our Air Force - they get us flying and put "bombs on target." They are core to Enabling Combat Power! So, welcome CMSAF Roy, and retired CMSAFs Parish and Finch. We look forward to learning from you and hosting you here at AMC's Showcase Wing.