17th CMSAF visits Ramstein AB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Stork
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody visited with Airmen here March 26 to share his vision of the Air Force.

The 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited leaders from numerous organizations here and coined 10 Airmen from different career fields for various achievements.

Service members filled a hangar to hear Cody discuss training, education, sexual assault prevention and budget issues.

"I appreciate the opportunity to spend a little time with you (Airmen)," Cody said. "It's important for you to know how much we're thinking about you all the time and how appreciative we are of each of you and your families and all they're doing as you're serving over here and the difference you're making for your nation."

One of Cody's main goals for the visit was to let Airmen know what he expects of them.

"My wife Athena and I look at this as a family business," Cody said. "When I look at each and every one of you out here, our fellow Airmen, you're family to me. Having that perspective will shape how we serve. You are your brothers' and sisters' keeper when you put on this uniform; we are in this together."

After touching on his priorities and recent Air Force events, he opened the floor for Airmen to ask questions about the issues facing today's total force.

"This opportunity to speak with him in person and allow us to address issues that are affecting the Air Force makes a big difference," said Master Sgt. Christine Pina, the manager of U. S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa promotions and evaluations. "The Airmen see that leadership does care, and it gives them some perspective; they value it more."

While there are many changes happening throughout the Air Force, Cody assured Airmen and their families that the Air Force will take care of them.

"We will continue to invest in our Airmen through deliberate development, which includes education, training, and experience," Cody said. "It's essential to our Air Force that we continue to develop Airmen in all three of those areas."

He discussed enlisted performance reports and the way leaders develop their Airmen.

"Performance has to be evaluated first and foremost," Cody said. "We will still evaluate and document those other areas, the whole-person concept, but we have to get this right. We have to do it in a manner where our Airmen understand it, and when we have people looking at those records to make decisions about those Airmen and their future, it's clearly stated what they have done, where they could improve and where they don't need improvement."

The chief said first-term Airmen who are trying to decide whether to reenlist or not have to make the choice for all of the right reasons -- and none of the wrong ones.

"Everyone joined for different reasons with different goals and ambitions," he said. "You have to make that decision to continue to serve, but be sure it's to continue to serve our Air Force. I think if you're committed to do that it's a great way of life. We'll take great care of you and your family, make you part of our family, and expect great things of you."