Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray testified on Capitol Hill Feb. 15 about Air Force quality of life issues before the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on military quality of life, veterans affairs and related agencies.

"I truly believe, and I think you'll agree, that our Airmen's quality of performance is directly related to their quality of life," Chief Murray said.

Chief Murray cited the current top three quality issues for Airmen -- pay and benefits, housing availability and costs, and education.

"Our education is critical to the 21st century capabilities of our force," he said. "We've come to expect more from our Airmen today than ever before, and even more will be expected of them in the future."

He said the value of education benefits is particularly important to Airmen with the ongoing Air Force transformation.

"Education enables members to fulfill personal goals, stimulates innovation and critical thinking and improves overall force readiness effectiveness," Chief Murray said. "Knowledge and innovation are inherent to our Air Force heritage and service cultures. Education benefits are a win-win for all our services and it must remain strong."

Chief Murray explained how the air expeditionary force construct has been a great benefit to the Air Force transformation and quality of life.

"Our AEF organization is a model of global agility, efficiency and military effectiveness -- a modern design for a modern world," he said. "Our 21st century force is 40 percent smaller than that Cold War force we went into Desert Storm with. It is, however, vastly more capable, more agile and more lethal than before.

"The AEF provides lethality and economy of forces for in-theatre combatant commanders while providing predictability and stability at home -- a huge quality of life bonus for our Airmen and their families,” he said.

Chief Murray also addressed possible future quality of life concerns for Airmen and their families.

"Health care would be a higher concern, but right now it is given; as long as it is given, our Airmen are satisfied," he said. "But, because of the interest right now in health care and the rising costs to it, it is up on the scope."

Another future Air Force quality of life challenge is the environment it faces with changes made as a result of Base Realignment and Closure and Quadrennial Defense Review.

Chief Murray said the balancing between modernization of the force and force structure, which calls for the reduction of more than 40,000 total force members, is high on the minds of Airmen.

"Your Air Force has laid out a good plan to do (this) and we will continue to take great care of our people in doing so," he said.

Chief Murray testified for the last time on Capitol Hill as he will retire later this year.