Chief McKinley selected as 15th CMSAF

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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley has named Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley to serve as the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Chief McKinley will assume his new position July 1, following the June 30 retirement of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. Chief Murray’s retirement culminates 29 years of service to the Air Force. 

"I'm excited to have Chief McKinley take the helm of our enlisted force," General Moseley said. "Chief McKinley is a tremendous leader with an impressive array of expeditionary and combat experiences to help him steer our Airmen and serve as my partner. We were blessed to have a number of exceptionally well-qualified candidates for the position. While the decision was not an easy one, I feel we have the right person to lead our enlisted force during this time of a long war on terrorism, recapitalization and transformation. I look forward to working with him.” 

Chief McKinley is currently the command chief master sergeant for Pacific Air Forces. He originally joined the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, attended college and re-entered the Air Force in 1982.

Chief McKinley’s career includes assignments in the medical, aircraft maintenance and first sergeant fields. He has also served as the command chief master sergeant of the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.; 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia; and 11th Air Force at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. 

The office of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests to the American public and all levels of government. The chief master sergeant of the Air Force serves as a personal adviser to the Air Force chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force and their families.