Fifth CMSAF visits Elmendorf's Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force spoke at the Elmendorf senior NCO induction ceremony June 27.

During his eight-day visit, Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor took some time to deliver two motivational speeches to Arctic Warriors.

Including this trip, Chief Gaylor said he has been to Elmendorf nearly 15 times throughout his career. "I love coming up here. It's just a great TDY," he said.

He said that his impression of the base is how immediately obvious the mission is up here. He said it is so clear because of the aircraft always taking off.

Since the turn of the millennium, Chief Gaylor has made his way around the Air Force bases across the globe, making appearances at events and speaking to the Airmen. He said it's a great opportunity to share his story and journey with today's Air Force.

"My gosh, I travel more now than I did on active duty," said Chief Gaylor. "Last year, he made his way around to 32 bases, and so far this year, he's visited 21 bases.

"It's a passion I have for the Air Force. It's like it's a way of life I'm not prepared to let go of," he said. "I'm going to keep doing it as long as I get invitations."

Chief Gaylor speaks to the Airmen instilling his confidence in them, telling them it is a challenging time to serve, but he said he believes that they are up to the challenge. He let them know how each of their jobs is crucial and important to the mission.

"Importance is measured by the contribution each person makes," said Chief Gaylor.

He told stories about tuning a carburetor, dicing radishes and serving hot fries. Each story had its own hidden message. Through these stories, he showed how important each hob is and how we need to be doing things quickly, efficiently and to the best of our ability.

Chief Gaylor also explained how different today's Air Force is from the one he joined nearly 60 years ago. He used a method of the four "Ts" to explain the difference from back then till today.

His first T stood for training, saying that today's training is more thorough and advanced. His second T stood for technology. He said that there are so many more gadgets out there today and we are a lot further along that we ever were.

He said his third T stood for tribe, which really means family. He said that today's Air Force is there for the families. They take care of the families, making sure that there are care centers for the children. His fourth and final T stood for Trust. He said that there is so much more trust in today's Air Force, and it was something that they didn't have back then.

In his closing remarks, he said he just wants to say thanks to today's Air Force. "I think the highest compliment that I could pay any of you would be it's an Air Force I would enjoy being a part of."