Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody speaks to Airmen about upcoming changes to professional military education Mar. 28, 2013 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Cody visited Aviano to answer any and all questions about the recent changes in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody speaks to spouses at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Mar. 29, 2013. Cody spoke about his marriage and how he appreciates the support husbands and wives give to their military spouse each and every day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz)
Brig. Gen. Scott Zobrist welcomes Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody to Aviano Air Base, Italy, Mar. 28, 2013. Cody visited Aviano to answer any and all questions about the recent changes in the military. Zobrist is the 31st Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz)
by Senior Airman Jessica Hines
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
4/2/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- During his recent visit of Air Force bases in Europe, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spent two days talking with Aviano Airmen, March 28 and 29, getting their viewpoints on some of the Air Force's biggest issues.
In his second month since stepping into the service's highest enlisted position, Cody has traveled great distances to engage with Airmen and families and help answer questions they may have.
During his visit, the 17th CMSAF answered questions about sequestration, education, family programs and more, focusing specifically on the future of the Air Force.
"With some of the tough decisions that we're going to have to make, it will impact some people more than others, and we'll be respectful about that," Cody said. "I think our Airmen need to be prepared for the fact that things are going to change. They have to."
While change may be a driving force, Cody hailed Airmen as the "the best trained, the best educated and best equipped in the world," and wanted to assure all Airmen and their families Air Force leaders are listening.
"What we ask our Airmen to do, what we ask their families to do and sacrifice, must be reasonable and sustainable," Cody said. "I will focus on that until the last day I'm in this position."
The job of senior leaders, according to Cody, will be to consider and establish the "new normal" for the Air Force.
"We will get through this and we will be a better Air Force, just like we're a better Air Force today than we were yesterday," Cody said.
Airmen also addressed concerns over professional military education; fearing computer-based tests will become the norm.
"We are not talking about more CBTs with PME at all," Cody said. "What we're talking about with the transformation of the enlisted PME is how do we use a blended learning approach that is distance learning and in-residence."
According to the chief, the Air Force plans to use "interactive multimedia instruction" to engage Airmen beyond traditional coursework and slide presentations.
"It's very interactive, very high fidelity, and that's what we're working toward," he added.
As a guest speaker for an Aviano Airman Leadership School graduating class, Cody told the future leaders, "Part of leadership is continuing to learn, and if you're not learning, then you're not going to be as effective as you need to be into the future.
"It really is a privilege to serve, and it's a greater privilege to lead," he said. "You need to understand that. All leaders need to understand that."
Comments
4/5/2013 10:02:23 AM ET @John good points. Im afraid the AF is transitioning to a learning continuum that applies more to the college student but not so much to those who will be asked to lead in austere conditions. As the AF promotes enlisted at a very young and fast pace Im not sold that BLACKBOARD learning can make up for the kind of academic and character building and learning that is learned in an in residence setting. Unfortunately as with every large corporations when money gets tight training funding declines.
Im a runner, TX
4/4/2013 1:08:21 PM ET @Patrick agreed@David cutting the travel of the CMSAF is not going to make a difference. Also Patrick makes a very valid point regarding the job of the CMSAF.As far as the play on words regarding PME training. One on oneclassroom instruction is the best way to go. Unfortunately travel does cost but I wonder what are the actual audit numbers CBT's are great as supplement tool but just as a supplemental tool and should not the go-to solution. I've seen many CBT's and I dare say most airman simply run through them even cheat by passing along answers. And retain very little info. Muti-media interactive instruction. Sounds very current but effective. I guess time will tell. I will put it in the category of the bike test the Air Force used to determine physical fitness...Claim to have all kinds of data supporting the initiative but failed miserably.
John, United States
4/4/2013 12:17:49 PM ET Sorry David I agree with Patrick on this one. If he was not out visiting the troops people would complain about that too.
TC, USA
4/4/2013 10:54:54 AM ET I think it is in this times that he needs to see and meet the troops to listen to their concerns and to provide that assurance that what we do everyday still matters. It is more important now more than ever that the leadership reach out and ensure that the airmen are still fully engaged.
Dinah, Dobbins
4/3/2013 1:53:11 PM ET CMSAF Cody's job is to be out among the enlisted force gauging how we are doing and what problems we face so he can advise the CSAF properly on enlisted issues. It is impossible to do that via emailVTCetc. I agree that everyone should tighten their belts but there are many other areas where we could and should cut first.
Patrick, Hurlburt Field
4/3/2013 12:48:09 PM ET I'm a bit confused here someone help me out. So theres no talk of CBT's but the AF is planning to use interactive multimedia instruction as filler for PME Can I borrow someone's 'knock it off' card here LOL
TSgt Confused, CONUS
4/2/2013 9:55:34 PM ET OK. Chief Cody has only been in his current position about two months. With all the cutbacks mandated by sequestration why is he traveling to Italy spending our dollars on TDY so early into his assignment That money could be better spent at this point. And I am sure he visited other location en route to Aviano. We all need to tighten our belts not just the little people at our bases.
