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CMSAF McKinley: 'The quality of our Airmen is astounding'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
ANAHEIM, Calif. --  The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited the 2008 Airlift/Tanker Association convention in early November to update the thousands of attendees on the latest Air Force issues and priorities. One message stood clear above the others -- he's proud of Airmen.

"I just got back from a trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley Nov. 7. "It was a fantastic trip and the one thing that always impresses me on these trips is our Airmen."

Chief McKinley addressed the issues affecting the Air Force and how the way forward means meeting the priorities set forth by the service's leadership.

"We may have had some challenges, but we have met those head on and I have to tell you I really like the direction our Air Force is going," Chief McKinley said. "As Secretary of the Air Force (Michael) Donley talked about our priorities earlier at this convention, the number one priority is to reinvigorate the nuclear enterprise."

Part of the Air Force's reinvigoration process is not just getting back to basics, but also having a plan to keep focus on the things that are important, the chief said. He noted the Air Force has "got the stick" on reinvigorating the nuclear enterprise.

"We are standing up Global Strike Command, a major command that will be led by a three-star general," Chief McKinley said. "It's still being determined where that's going to be headquartered, but it's the right thing to do. We're concentrating on our nuclear enterprise because our country needs to know that we've got that focus."

Chief McKinley also referenced an enlisted perspective he wrote in July entitled, "Blocking and Tackling." He said the business of the Air Force getting back to the basics can be demonstrated in numerous ways and in many ways is like a good football sports team.

"When things happen, such as changes in leadership, the simple thing I come back to is to talk about doing the basics -- the blocking and tackling," Chief McKinley said. "We've got to get it right because if you look at any sports team, they are going to succeed because they are good at the basics -- the blocking and tackling. They go on the field and they practice the basics all the time. That's what makes them great.

"That's also what makes the Air Force great," Chief McKinley said. "The things we learned in basic training, the Air Force Academy or ROTC are the things that make us the best."

As examples of remembering the basics, Chief McKinley expressed a dedication to the Air Force's core values.

"The lessons we learned in basic training are simple," Chief McKinley said. "These are things like integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking."

In addressing service before self, the chief said, "That means you are going to put the service out there first. I'm not saying don't take care of your family or personal needs, but you've got to have that service ethic if you are going to take care of Air Force needs.

"And in excellence in everything we do, every job is important, no matter what the job," Chief McKinley said. "You've got to make sure you do that job the very best you possibly can so somebody does not have to come behind you and do the same job over again."

Chief McKinley said he also wants Airmen to remember their customs and courtesies.
"Customs and courtesies are important," he said. "When you think about a retreat ceremony, think about our flag and the heroes of our past and all those of you who are serving right now. We should think about those people who have given it all."

Another update Chief McKinley touched on was uniform improvements. He said the Airman Battle Uniform issues with mismatched colors and being "too heavy and hot" should be fixed by summer 2009 as well as an updated physical training uniform.

"We are working on the PT gear and we are going to have a new PT short and shirt combination out by next summer," Chief McKinley said. "They're going to be made of a better material and they're going to have a pocket in there so you can carry your ID card and your keys.

"We've also got a new PT suit planned to be made with the same newer, softer material as the shorts and shirt," Chief McKinley said. "I've already seen and touched it -- it's nice and comfortable."

Chief McKinley said we continue to take care of Airmen and their families with improvements in quality of life.

"We just put $140 million toward taking care of dormitories across our Air Force," Chief McKinley said. "Another thing we did was put $23.4 million into quality of life. That funding is put out there to take care of areas like fitness centers, child care centers, libraries and recreation centers. These are matters important to Airmen and their families."

He also said more than $91 million has been put into reenlistment bonuses for Airmen in demanding career fields.

"This is a jump in our reenlistment bonuses," Chief McKinley said. "We are also working to program that money for the next several years to keep the funds flowing to retain our Airmen."

For more on Chief McKinley's messages, visit http://www.af.mil/library/viewpoints/index.asp.  For more on his "Blocking and Tackling" viewpoint, see http://www.af.mil/library/viewpoints/cmsaf.asp?id=387.