Fifth CMSAF visits Airmen, talks change, taking ownership

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) -- The fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, Robert D. Gaylor, visited and spoke with Airmen June 26 at the base theater here.

The former senior enlisted member of the Air Force shared his personal journey and views on leadership with more than 200 Airmen in attendance.

"I can't imagine my life without the Air Force in it," Gaylor said. "When I'm afforded an opportunity to talk to a group of Airmen, even when just passing through the area, I can't say no. They are our future and the best our nation has to offer."

During his speech, Gaylor gave his perspective on how today's Air Force compares to when he served nearly four decades ago.

"The Air Force has changed with the passage of time," Gaylor said. "Our mission capability and scope of responsibility has been drastically altered since my time serving. Today's Airmen are trusted to do things that were reserved for NCOs in the past. It's a testament to the level of growth we have shown as an Air Force in our ability to train and retain the best individuals."

Gaylor also shared why he thinks the Air Force has improved through the years. He referred to them as the four T's; training, technology, trust and tribe, or family.

"The Air Force has really improved in areas where it may have been lacking in the past," he said. "Only by taking care of our own, developing new technology and empowering Airmen, can the Airmen serving truly accomplish their mission effectively."

Another popular theme during the course of his speech was what Gaylor referred to as "putting your name on the Air Force mailbox." It alluded to Airmen taking ownership of their time in the Air Force and having pride in their work.

"My name is on that mailbox," Gaylor said emphatically. "I am proud of what I have done and can still do for the Air Force."

Gaylor entered the Air Force in September 1948 and was assigned to the security police career field, now security forces, which he was part of until 1957, when he decided to serve as a military training instructor. He also went on to serve as an instructor at the Second Air Force NCO Academy at Barskdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

During Gaylor's tenure as chief master sergeant of the Air Force, he served as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as well as other top Air Force leaders on issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper use and progress of the enlisted force.

At the conclusion of his address, Gaylor told attending Airmen that the key to success is a combination of attitude, knowledge and opportunity. He said if you have a good attitude and knowledge, the opportunities will follow.

"I just try to make people think," he said. "I try to get them to think about their responsibilities, careers and goals. I just try to plant seeds that will grow and to provoke thought."

Gaylor also emphasized the responsibility of the Airmen currently serving to prepare for the threats of tomorrow.

"You never know what's going to come next," Gaylor said. "Nobody can predict what the Air Force will be like four years from now. All we can do is rise to the occasion and prepare for any possible scenario. Luckily for us, that's what the men and women in our Air Force do best."

Following the speech, Master Sgt. Andrew Mathews, the 4th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of standardization and evaluation, expressed a desire to put the lessons he heard from the retired chief into practice.

"It's not every day you get an opportunity to listen to someone who served as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force speak about leadership," Mathews said. "You can't help but have respect for someone who has supported the Air Force and more notably our enlisted core, as an Airman and a civilian for more than 50 years. It's truly inspirational."

Although Gaylor has been retired since 1979, he continues to actively visit and mentor Airmen throughout the Air Force.

"I came in the Air Force on a three-year enlistment and here I am 67 years later," Gaylor said. "I guess you can say I found a home."