Former CMSAF visits Andersen AFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Whitney Tucker
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --  The 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 27 and shared his perspective as the service's former top enlisted member.

Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley retired from active duty at the highest enlisted level of leadership in June 2009. Despite the transition to civilian life, the chief continues to nurture and care for the Airmen he fought alongside.

McKinley, who said he subscribes to a simple life philosophy, shared his method for a happy and fulfilling career with his audience.

"Your career is what you make it," he said. "No matter what base you're stationed at or what career field you're in, you have to be the best you can. It's important to think about your future, but right now the job that you have needs to be the most important thing you do. So learn to do that job to the best of your ability, and strive to be a leader in every situation."

To be truly successful, an Airman must have a balanced life, continued the chief.

"Get your Community College of the Air Force degree, stay physically fit, have fun in your free time," he said. "Have a well-rounded, balanced life, and if you do all the right things and treat others with the proper respect, leadership is going to take care of you and make sure you move up and have a successful career."

Airmen in Pacific Air Forces have unique opportunities to experience that are unavailable to many Americans, he said. A former PACAF command chief master sergeant himself, McKinley recommends Airmen take full advantage of the opportunities before them.

"You have so many chances to get out, try new things and build those great memories," he said. "Take advantage of being here on a tropical island. You have tons of tourists paying lots of money to come here on vacation and you get to live here; but remember that you still have to do your job and be the best Airman you can be."

Still new to civilian life after a long career in the military, McKinley spoke about his transition.

"I've been retired for about two years now," he said. "I was very proud to be an Airman and I believe I'll always be one at heart. I was lucky enough to get hired by a great company that allows me to go out and do things to take care of Airmen and our wounded warriors. I stay very involved with the Air Force and the wounded warrior program, and it's all fun. It's been a great transition."

That transition has enabled him to get a closer look at how the public views the military.

"I've had the opportunity to be involved with the public sector, while still being involved with the military," McKinley said. "Regardless of what their view on the wars may be, public support is tremendous for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen."

Before his departure, the chief shared some words of wisdom with Airmen seeking to learn from a man who started at the bottom and rose to the top.

"The great thing about the military is that everything you need to be successful is right there in front of you," he said. "If you want to be promoted, study for promotion and do what it takes. If you want to go to school, take advantage of tuition assistance and programs available to you. The door is wide open; it's up to you to walk through it."