CMSAF transition: Airmen say goodbye to Roy, welcome Cody

News > CMSAF transition: Airmen say goodbye to Roy, welcome Cody

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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, left, and Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the commander of Air Education and Training Command, congratulate the 17th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Jan. 24, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
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CMSAF transition: Airmen say goodbye to Roy, welcome Cody

Posted 1/24/2013

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by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

1/24/2013 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) -- The Air Force appointed its 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force during a transition and retirement ceremony here Jan. 24.

In his last official act before retiring, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy relinquished the duties and responsibilities of the Air Force's highest enlisted leader to Chief Master Sgt. James Cody.

Looking across the airplane hangar, Cody addressed some of his main goals in his new position.

"We have to invest before we can reap rewards," said Cody, who was previously assigned as the command chief master sergeant of Air Education and Training Command. "We will continue to invest in the development of our Airmen in the most deliberate way possible, and we will ensure our force is ready to handle the challenges it will face in the future."

Cody said as the service's senior enlisted leader, his focus will be on helping Airmen be successful.

"We need to protect them by making sure they know how to deal with the stress that comes with military life," said Cody. "We will focus on strengthening relationships, taking care of one another, and holding each other more accountable for measuring up to the high standards we demand of every Airman."

Themes of innovation and critical thinking were reinforced throughout the ceremony with Cody calling upon Airmen to continue being efficient tacticians.

"As resources tighten, our nation will require more from each one of us. Airmen will meet that challenge through innovation as they always have," he said.

Though today's ceremony was a time to celebrate the retirement of Roy and the appointment Cody, leaders reminded the crowd that there's work to be done.

The Air Force's highest ranking uniformed Airman said he is ready to roll up his sleeves, alongside Chief and Mrs. Cody.

"Take a look around the hangar here," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "This is your Air Force. And all of us are now your Airmen. Lead us well."

During the ceremony, the Air Force debuted a new item for enlisted Airmen to be proud of -- the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force positional colors.

Today's ceremony contained great moments -- the transition of the service's 17th CMSAF and the unveiling of the positional colors. However, there was also a bittersweet moment as the Air Force said farewell to a great Airman.

Speaking to his character, one theme throughout Roy's farewell speech was the importance of relationships.

"Over the past few weeks I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my career," said Roy. "I've been thinking -- not about what we got accomplished, or what we didn't get accomplished -- but about relationships.

"Our 30 years in the Air Force allowed Ms. Paula and I to develop a lot of valuable relationships," he said. "We are thankful for each of these, and will continue to build on them as we move into the next chapter of our lives."

Roy's three and a half years as chief master sergeant of the Air Force was marked by building relationships with Airmen. A staunch advocate of face-to-face communication, Roy traveled about nine months out of each year to meet and interact with Airmen of all ranks.

Cody said he will continue that legacy.

"To ensure continued success, leaders at all levels must focus on our Airmen and their families," said Cody. "We look forward to getting out to the bases and meeting our Airmen, listening to their stories, understanding their challenges. And we're committing to you we will bring those back and work those issues hard here on the staff."

After closely working together the past six months, Roy and Welsh have bonded over a common denominator -- caring for Airmen.

"Chief Roy, there's just no way to properly say thank you for what you've given to our Air Force ... but thank you," said Welsh. "Take care of yourself 16, and wear the number proudly. You've earned it."

Comments

2/3/2013 12:37:42 PM ET
Jeff Let me guess you all busted up cause you can't wear a flightsuit or leather jacket while flying a satellite at room temperature and one G anymore. I don't understate the importance of space and cyberspace information is king. But your mission is supporting the guys putting warheads on foreheads.

Rob, FL

1/31/2013 2:23:22 PM ET
Sgt Whoever I think you have it backwards...if you are asking what the USAF can do for you rather than what you can do for your country then I think you need to look for a new line of work. If you are suggesting that we don't need a System in place to place the right people in the right billets then I am not sure what you would suggest. Lastly I have yet to read an AFI the MAKES me write my own EPRDec. However I would be a fool to not keep track of my own accomplishments so that my EPR was solid or my dec was deserved. In that sense I do write my own...and my supervisor will quality check it. However as much as my boss cares about the advancement of my career I care more so I ensure he has quality info for all my evaluations awards and decorations. Sgt whoever I hope as a NCO you are able to change your attitude and find a way to serve your amn...for our services sake.

SNCO 462, JBSA Lackland

1/30/2013 6:12:07 AM ET
Lose faith in the system You mean the system which only cares about putting bodies in billets Or the system which makes me write my own EPRs and makes me put in my own decorations because everyone else is too busy. The systems doesn't care about you and doesn't deserve your faith.

Sgt Whoever, conus

1/29/2013 3:41:20 PM ET
Reference the commens from Jeff. In using the term airpower CMSAF Cody's Letter to Airmen was not just addressed to flying members of the Air Force. Per AFDD 1 page 11 airpower is defined as the ability to project military power or influence through the control and exploitation of air space and cyberspace to achieve strategic operational or tactical objectives. AFDD 1 addresses Jeff's concern on page 12 by describing airpower as a unitary construct and part of concepts and language that bind Airmen together instead of presenting the Air Force as collection of tribes broken out in technological stovepipes according to the domains of air space and cyberspace.

Woody, Maxwell

1/29/2013 2:16:10 PM ET
Cut Chief Cody some slack Jeff from Colorado Springs. Do you really think a Command Chief at AETC or any other MAJCOM can personally police the behaviors of everyone at all subordinate bases Attributing the actions of those involved in sex scandals to selection criteria of Chief Cody is irresponsible and naive. 3 pillars Chief's dont live in hole and unaware of the domains the AF operate in either. Offering an immersion for the new CMSAF from someone using pillars vs. domains suggests a lack of understanding of AF vernacular and the education it takes to get become a CMSgt and Command CMSgt in today's Air Force.

Ret Comm Chief, Colorado Springs

1/29/2013 1:03:31 PM ET
All ways remember CLIMB TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP SO YOU CAN SEE THE PEOPLE NOT SO THE PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU.

Dana Gravely, JBA

1/29/2013 9:39:22 AM ET
JeffYou need to read this and the rest of our Core Values. I hope and pray uyou dont have Airmen working for you. get ou8t now while you can because you're part of the problem.Faith in the system. To lose faith in the system is to adopt the view that you know better than those above you in the chain of command what should or should not be done. In other words tolose faith in the system is to place self before service. Leaders can be very influential in this regardif a leader resists the temptation to doubt the system then subordinates might follow.

SMSgt Retired, Robins AFB GA

1/25/2013 5:37:47 PM ET
OK so I just read CMSgt Cody's CMSAF Letter to Airmen and while he mentioned Airpower a couple times he failed to mention the two other pillars of the Air Force......Space and CyberSpace. Not sure what his background is but I think he needs some immersion into what the AF is also doing in addition to flying. Real concern is we hired someone from the clearly broken AETC Command that seems to be in the middle of sex scandals and sexual assault cases on a weekly basis. What message do we send by hiring the next CMSAF from a command that has constant problems. Not questioning him personally just where he came from.

Jeff, Colorado Springs

1/24/2013 9:28:24 PM ET
Congrats to Roy thank you for your service. Congrats to Cody you have a lot of work to do.

Retired, Retirement

1/24/2013 6:27:05 PM ET
Congrats Chief Roy Just remember you still owe me a favorTake care and God Bless you and your family.Engineers Lead the Way

Rob Retired, Birmingham AL

1/24/2013 6:24:33 PM ET
Best of luck Chief take good care of all of them

Chuck Marcotte, Phoenix Az

1/24/2013 6:22:10 PM ET
Best of luck Chief take good care of all of them

Chuck Marcotte CMSgt Retired, Phoenix Az

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