Chief Master Sergeant speaks to airmen
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 9, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody speaks to the airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base this morning.
The U.S. Air Force has weathered some turbulent times in recent years and more tough decisions are ahead, the Air Force's top enlisted man told airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base this morning.
However, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody said he felt confident that the Air Force would respond well to those challenges.
"In the little over year and a half I have been privileged to serve in this position, we have gone through some pretty turbulent times," Cody said. "I am going to be honest with you the air ahead is pretty turbulent. "It really is when we think about out the budget and the realities associated with that and the impact that has on our Air Force, our airmen and their families is not insignificant by any way shape or form.
The Air Force will weather that turbulence, he said.
But, he said, that was not the reason he was at SJAFB today.
Cody said he was there to listen to the airmen -- and to thank them for their service.
After speaking for just under five minutes, Cody opened the floor for questions.
He told the airmen it was important to get their feedback, to hear what is on their minds and to know how they are impacted on the tactical level.
"How it is impacting you and how it is impacting your family is really important to us," Cody said. "So that is what I really want to take place. Really the reason for the visit is to simply come down on behalf of Secretary (of the Air Force Deborah) James, (Air Force Chief of Staff) Gen. (Mark A.) Welsh and myself to kind of spend some time with you over the next couple of days and thank you for what you do every day."
He told the airmen nothing was off the table and added that he wanted them to be comfortable and to speak freely about what was on their minds.
"You can certainly have a perspective on some of the decisions that we have made, and maybe I can provide some additional context to those perspectives," he said. "Don't hesitate to come at me pretty straight and hard because that is how I will respond. But that is OK. It really is. Maybe we find there is a better way to do something."
Cody represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government.
He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force.
Cody is the 17th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position.