Chief Master Sergeants Of The Air Force

Front 1

-Served as an aerial gunner on B-24 bombers in WWII
-Was held prisoner by the Germans
-Awarded the Legion of Merit during Korean conflict
-Spent 12 years as a first sergeant
-Helped create WAPS

Back 1

CMSAF Paul W. Airey
First CMSAF (April 1967- July 1969)

Front 2

-Worked to help support his mother and pay tuition prior too being drafted into the Army Air Corps
-Became an armament and gunnery instructor
-Was discharged from active duty in 1946
-Was recalled to active duty during the Korean War
-Held various positions in the personnel career field with increasing responsibilities
-Focused on resolving racial tensions, assignment concerns and promotion problems
-Was known for a no-nonsense approach and ability to listen

Back 2

CMSAF Donald L. Harlow
Second CMSAF (August 1969- September 1971)

Front 3

-Grew up on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression and dust bowl years
-Served in the personnel career field
-Was in the first group of Air Force personnel to become SMSgt and CMSgt
Focused on increasing opportunities for NCO professional development
-Nicknamed "the GI's man in Washington"

Back 3

CMSAF Richard D. Kisling
Third CMSAF (October 1971- September 1973)

Front 4

-First African-American to serve in the highest enlisted post of any military service
-Learned flight engineering from a friend and flew resupply and medical evacuation missions
-Accumulated 750 flight hours over enemy territory and earned the Air Medal
-Had his tenure as CMSAF extended for an unprecedented two years
-Broke down barriers for women in the Air Force
-Worked to ensure equality among the ranks and races
Established the service's commitment to EPME for all Airmen

Back 4

CMSAF Thomas N. Barnes
Fourth CMSAF (October 1973- July 1977)

Front 5

-Enlisted to travel and learn a skill
-Advanced to MSgt with only seven years and seven months of service
-Was an instructor at basic training and the NCOA
-Educated the force on the hazards of substance abuse (SA)
-Addressed low morale, weak military public image, quality of life and prejudices against minorities and women

Back 5

CMSAF Robert D. Gaylor
Fifth CMSAF (August 1977- July 1979)

Front 6

-Previously considered a vocation in the priesthood
-Held many positions in PME and military training
-Was selected as one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 1974
-Worked to improve recruiting and retention rates
-Enhanced the PME system
-The Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) was instituted during his tour as CMSAF

Back 6

CMSAF James M. McCoy
Sixth CMSAF (August 1979- July 1981)

Front 7

-Enlisted out of patriotism and a desire to expand
-Served nearly 14 years in the military police force, including as an investigator
-Focused on cultural change within the Air Force
-Traveled extensively out of the belief that the CMSAF must know issues firsthand

Back 7

CMSAF Arthur L. "Bud" Andrews
Seventh CMSAF (August 1981- July 1983)

Front 8

-Trained as a ground weather equipment operator and weather observer
-Was the youngest 7-level in his career field
-Was a member of the first SNCOA class
-Became Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) for US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) in 1977
-Was a straight shooter who told people what they needed to know rather than what they wanted to hear
-Obtained approval for the first functional badges for uniforms
-Obtained approval for the John Levitow Award for each level of PME
-Established the First Sergeant of the Year program Air Force-wide

Back 8

CMSAF Sam E. Parish
Eighth CMSAF (August 1983- June 1986)

Front 9

-Wanted to bee a pilot but was disqualified from flight school because of high frequency hearing loss
-Set his sights on becoming CMSAF while serving in Vietnam
-Served as a First Sergeant and Base Sergeant Major at Seymour Johnson AFB
-Was the sole enlisted member on the President's Commission on Military Compensation
-Created the EPR and performance feedback systems
-Believed giving more responsibility to Airmen would attract and retain higher quality people

Back 9

CMSAF James C. Binnicker
Ninth CMSAF (July 1986- July 1990)

Front 10

-Played minor league baseball before enlisting in the Air Force
-Served as an aircraft mechanic and military training Instructor (TI)
-Took part in the first Ability to Survive and Operate (ATSO) exercise in a chemical environment
-Worked to avoid involuntary separations during the Air Force downsizing
-Created enlisted career paths and milestones similar to the officer career model

Back 10

CMSAF Gary R. Pfingston
Tenth CMSAF (August 1990- October 1994)

Front 11

-Credits his supervisors at his first base with turning his attitude around
- Sought challenges throughout his career
-Completed several tours in support of B-52 Arc Light missions in Southeast Asia
-Successfully fought a proposed reduction in retirement pay
-Gave each Airman an individual room in the dormitory
-Advised Airmen to be honest and keep their promises

Back 11

CMSAF David J. Campanale
Eleventh CMSAF (October 1994- November 1996)

Front 12

-Served during Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia
-Crafted the NCO Professional Development Seminar
-Led numerous quality-of-life initiatives
-Focused on fundamental discipline, getting back to the basics and changing the Air Force culture to meet new expeditionary requirements
-Developed Warrior Week in basic training
-Changed the curriculum at the First Sergeant Academy to focus on deployments

Back 12

CMSAF Eric W. Beneken
Twelfth CMSAF (November 1996- August 1999)

Front 13

-Began his career in the "bomb dumps" as a missile maintenance crew chief
-Helped develop a correspondence version of the NCO Preparatory Course
-Restructured the PME program from four to three levels
-Implemented the procedures to create the Airman Leadership School (ALS) and allow MSgts to attend SNCOA
-Streamlined the CCM selection process and gave commanders more flexibility
-Believed future-focused leaders were vital and ensured their development

Back 13

CMSAF Frederick J. "Jim" Finch
Thirteenth CMSAF (August 1999- June 2002)

Front 14

-Was promoted to SrA Below the Zone (BTZ)
-Was often recognized for performance and leadership
-Played a key role as the combat turn director in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, garnering a Bronze Star
-Refocused BMT and PME toward expeditionary combat principles
-Developed a new physical fitness program
-Balanced the enlisted force structure

Back 14

CMSAF Gerald R. Murray
Fourteenth CMSAF (July 2002- June 2006)

Front 15

-Served as a medical technician and aircraft maintenance specialist
-Served as a CCM
-Helped improve the Enlisted Evaluation System (EES), leading to the first major changes to performance feedback report forms since 1990
-Encouraged Airmen to earn their CCAF degree earlier in their career
-Advocated "American Airman" spirit, leading to creation of the Airman's Creed, codifying core Air Force beliefs and articulating the warrior ethos
-Helped create the Enlisted Heroes Walk and the return of enlisted collar brass and Good Conduct Medal
-Pursued improvements in Airman health and fitness, wounded warrior care, spousal emplyment opportunities, and housing

Back 15

CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley
Fifteenth CMSAF (June 2006- June 2009)

Front 16

-Entered the Air Force as a heavy equipment operator and served in civil engineer positions
-Served as a CCM at wing, NAF and unified COCOM levels, and was the USPACOM Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL)
-Focused on preparing Airmen for operations with joint and coalition forces, and developing Airmen through education, training and experience
-Emphasized the importance of improved Distance learning (DL) opportunities, as well as closing the PME gap after ALS
-Helped build a culture of resiliency within Airmen and their families

Back 16

CMSAF James A. Roy
Sixteenth CMSAF (June 2009- January 2013)

Front 17

-Entered the Air Force as an air traffic controller
-Served as CCM at task force, wing, NAF and MAJCOM levels
-Most recently served as the CCM for AETC

Back 17

CMSAF James A. Cody
Seventeenth and current CMSAF