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Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits McGuire

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Paula A. Paige
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  By anyone's forecast, it's been a good year so far for Senior Airman Brian Buhrer. At the end of January, he won Airman of the Year for the 305th Air Mobility Wing, a tribute in part to the senior airman's outstanding work ethic, his supervisor said. 

Then Feb. 10, another bonus came when he received some valuable mentoring from the Air Force's top enlisted leader, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. 

"He gave me advice on career progression," said Airman Buhrer, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman with the 305th Civil Engineer Squadron. "We talked Air Force policy. He talked about the uniform. He told me, 'You'll be faced with hard decisions. Be honest with yourself. You'll ultimately make the right the decision.'" 

Airman Buhrer was among more than 25 key people selected to dine with the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during a fast-paced two-day visit to McGuire Feb. 9-10. The evening's social was one of several stops for Chief McKinley as he visited the Airmen of the 305th AMW, 621st Contingency Response Wing and U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center. 

Initially invited by the USAF EC to view the unit's mission, the center's leaders expanded the chief's itinerary to include their mission partners at McGuire. From addressing key issues at enlisted calls to observing Airmen practice combat first aid in the muddied woodlands of Fort Dix, Chief McKinley toured the region and said he was impressed by the people. 

"There's a lot of job satisfaction here," Chief McKinley said during an interview. "The people are mission-focused and productive. I enjoy seeing our Airmen fired up." 

The 15th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief McKinley serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper use and progress of the enlisted force and their families. 

Military families are also one of the concerns of President Barack Obama, the chief said, sharing details of a recent meeting with the new commander in chief. "A week ago, I was called back from TDY to meet with President Obama, the vice president, the secretary of defense, and the national security adviser. We discussed concerns-the added stress of reshaping the Air Force, the economy, the big need for improvements in education, the increase in suicide rates in the military. 

"What a tremendous message this meeting sent to the enlisted branches of all military services," the chief said. "President Obama said he'd like to meet with us (the top enlisted leaders of all services) on a regular basis." 

Chief McKinley's leadership also left its mark on senior officers. Assessing the chief's visit, Maj. Gen. Kip Self, USAF EC commander, said, "He hit the ball out of the park. He inspired me and the men and women of the center. What an incredible gentleman. He fits hand in glove with (Air Force Chief of Staff) Gen. (Norton) Schwartz. As a team, their vision is clear. The roadmap is certainly focused on the future, and the Expeditionary Center Eagles are 'all in.'" 

The chief's passion for Airmen resonated with Tech. Sgt. Troy Sahai, the command chief's executive for the 621st CRW, who helped coordinate the visit. "I was very impressed to meet him," Sergeant Sahai said. "Despite his position, he still has the warrior spirit. He shared with me that he still plays basketball, that he is still doing his PT as hard as the youngest Airman. He told me that wherever the mission takes him, he's ready to go out there and do it. He's a great example not just for the enlisted force but for all Airmen."