Sixth CMSAF Visits Elmendorf

  • Published
  • By Airman Jack Sanders
  • 3rd Wing Publc Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The sixth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visited here Sept. 10-14 to speak with Airmen.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James McCoy was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Airman Leadership School and the NCO Academy graduation Sept. 11th.

Additionally, he held an airmen's call on base Sept. 14. "It always gives me a great deal of pleasure to see these young men and women who are graduating from this level of professional and career education, and the spirit that they had and their enthusiasms," he said at the beginning of the airmen's call.

The chief addressed four points. He highlighted the differences between when he served on active duty and today's active duty.

"Even though we don't know who our adversaries are, they could be right outside the gate. They could be downtown. They could be anywhere," said McCoy. "We knew who our advisory was... the Soviet Union."

"I see that as one of the first things you have different, then when I served on active duty and what you're going through. It is the effort that you're pouring in and you're doing it extremely, extremely well," he said.


McCoy's next topic was an issue he dealt with while he was on active-duty. "As I travel, I just can't believe how great the American people treat each and every one of you," he said smiling. When McCoy was an active during the Vietnam conflict, the attitude taken toward military members was very negative.

"I look into the audience and I notice the number of females. It just amazes me to see how far we've come to integrated females into the service. At one time, we had career fields completely closed to the female population in the Air Force. When I retired from active duty in 1981 there were 13 female chief master sergeants. Thirteen that's all," said McCoy as he stared into the audience. Today there are around 400 female chiefs in a force that is half the size, and it's all because they've figured out they can do the job just as well, said McCoy.

The chief went on to mention more about women in the military and then began talking about his something that stands out to him - education. "The most important (difference) to me is the education level that you've picked up," said McCoy. "I encourage each and every one of you, I don't care what rank you are, to encourage the new people that are coming behind you to make sure that they do the same thing." McCoy spoke more on education and how he felt it led to a better Air Force before moving on to his important subject.

McCoy's next subject was life quality. "I'm amazed how much emphases the Air Force is putting on the quality of life." The chief spoke about how Elmendorf alone has changed over the years. "I can't believe the difference in Elmendorf Air Force Base today versus when I was a chief in the late '70s and early '80s."

After that the Chief opened up the floor for questions from Elmendorf Airmen.


Q--"What was your proudest moment in you Air Force career," asked Airman Jack Sanders, 3rd Wing Public Affairs.

A--"My greatest moment in my Air Force career was the day I got married, but if I had to be honest the day I found out I was going to be the next Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force was a pretty proud day too."

Q-- "What was your greatest challenge," said Staff Sgt. Antoinette Hackensmith, 3rd Medical Group.

A--"I think our biggest challenge was attitude. We came out of the Vietnam conflict and moral was real low in the military."

Q--"Where do you see the future of the Air Force going?" Tech. Sgt. Yolanda Becker, SGPB, Bio.

A--"What I see is it's going to be a better Air Force than what we have right now, because of people like you. People like these chiefs sitting here that are training you. You're going to be the chiefs someday."

The Chief's departing words were, "Thank you for what you're doing. Don't wait to get started on your education,(and) continue to do what you're doing. Learn how to do it better and make sure that people following you have the paper guidance and training."

McCoy and his wife returned to their home outside Bellville, Neb. near Offutt Air Force Base on Sept. 14. He left Airmen with a good appreciation for their past and future.