Enlisted call: Fifth CMSAF imparts wisdom to local Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Airmen from RAF Lakenheath, had the opportunity to hear advice from the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, at an enlisted call in Hangar 7, March 29.
 
Chief Gaylor returned to RAF Lakenheath for the first time in three years to talk to the Airmen. RAF Lakenheath is the first stop for the chief on his tour of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

"I have been a part of the Air Force for 59 years. I couldn't imagine my life without the Air Force," said Chief Gaylor during the enlisted call. "Its something I enjoy doing, it's engrained within me."

Although retired from the Air Force for 28 years, Chief Gaylor continues his association with the Air Force as a distinguished visitor and renowned speaker at bases around the world.

"I am having the time of my life," Chief Gaylor said about his experience traveling to the different bases. "I should have to pay to get in," he added.

Chief Gaylor's Airmen's call speech made a lasting impact on the Airmen of all ranks who had the opportunity to attend the enlisted call.

"I enjoyed getting to see Chief Gaylor. He had a lot of good information about how the Air Force had changed and a lot of tips to keep up with the changes," said Airman 1st Class Tremaine McCall, 48th Communication Squadron.

One point Chief Gaylor stressed was the importance of Airmen's attitudes. Airmen must continue to maintain a positive personal and professional attitude.

"The question I am focusing on here is who in the Air Force is important? I'll only accept one answer... everybody. We don't have any unimportant people," said Chief Gaylor. "There's one word I don't want to hear, the word 'just'. People say to me 'He retired as just a master sergeant.' or 'I'm just an Airman'. I want you to have pride and be able to blend it with humility."

"I am trying to tell you how important you are, I hope you already know that. You are doing a magnificent job," said Chief Gaylor. "I have never seen an Air Force as great as the one I have seen in my travels."

The Air Force is in the middle of big changes. Chief Gaylor shared his ideas on these changes, and how to stay ahead of the changes.

"I think it is a very demanding time. In my 58 years I have not seen a time in the Air Force where the demands and expectations were as severe," said Chief Gaylor. "There is no substitute for training and preparation. I remember a time where the words 'deploy' and 'mobilize' were not even used in basic training. Now it is introduced throughout all of our technical schools and training programs," he added.

Chief Gaylor also stressed the importance of Airmen's training and education programs that evolved to suit the needs of the Air Force.

"Learning is an amazing thing. It doesn't matter where we get it from. Learning is an ongoing process, it doesn't matter where you pick it up, it matters that you know how to do it," said Chief Gaylor. "The Air Force is not for everyone, but for someone with attitude, talent and a desire to serve their country, it's a great way of life," he added.

The chief did not just talk to the RAF Lakenheath's Airmen, he opened up the floor for questions and answered them to the best of his abilities.

"The chief was a very dynamic speaker. The messages Chief Gaylor weaved within his stories were strong and will probably stay with me for my entire Air Force career," said Airman Tremaine.