Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force
Headquarters Air Force Identification Badge
Flag of the CMSAF[1]
Incumbent
JoAnne S. Bass
since 14 August 2020 (2020-08-14)
United States Air Force
StyleChief
TypeSenior enlisted advisor
AbbreviationCMSAF
Member ofThe Air Staff[2]
Reports toChief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
AppointerChief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
Formation3 April 1967 (1967-04-03)
First holderPaul W. Airey
Salary$9,786.00 per month, regardless of the incumbent's service longevity[3]
WebsiteOfficial Website

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force (acronym: CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and position of office represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, unless an enlisted airman is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman. The CMSAF provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force chief of staff (AF/CC) and serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force 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.

The current 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is Chief JoAnne S. Bass, who assumed the role on 14 August 2020.[4] David A. Flosi was named to succeed her in December 2023.[5][6]

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force is designated as a special paygrade above E-9, and although the CMASF is a non-commissioned officer, protocol states that the CMSAF has precedence over all lieutenant generals at joint events, and over all lieutenant generals except the Air Force Director of Staff at Air Force exclusive events.[7]

Rank insignia and positional colors

On 1 November 2004,[8] the CMSAF's rank insignia was updated to include the Great Seal of the United States and two stars in the upper field. This puts the insignia in line with those of the Army and Marine Corps which have similar insignia to denote their senior enlisted servicemen. The laurel wreath around the star in the lower field remained unchanged, to retain the legacy of the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force.

The CMSAF wears distinctive collar insignia. Traditionally, enlisted airmen's collar insignia was silver-colored "U.S." within a ring. The CMSAF's collar brass replaced the standard ring with a silver laurel wreath. The CMSAF also wears a distinctive cap device. Enlisted airmen's cap device is the Coat of Arms of the United States, surrounded by a ring, all struck from silver-colored metal. Much as with the position's distinctive collar brass, the ring is replaced with a laurel wreath for the CMSAF.[9]

The sergeant major of the Army, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, chief master sergeant of the Space Force, and the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman are the only members of the United States armed forces below the rank of brigadier general/rear admiral (lower half) to be authorized a positional color (flag). The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force colors were authorized in January 2013.[10]

The official term of address for the CMSAF is "Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force" or "Chief."[11]

List of chief master sergeants of the Air Force

No. Portrait Name Term of office
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Paul W. Airey

(1923–2009)

 3 April 1967 31 July 1969 2 years, 119 days
2 Donald L. Harlow

(1920–1997)

 1 August 1969 30 September 1971 2 years, 60 days
3 Richard D. Kisling

(1923–1985)

 1 October 1971 30 September 1973 1 year, 364 days
4 Thomas N. Barnes

(1930–2003)

 1 October 1973 31 July 1977 3 years, 303 days
5 Robert Gaylor

(1930–)

 1 August 1977 31 July 1979 1 year, 364 days
6 James M. McCoy

(1930–2022)

 1 August 1979 31 July 1981 1 year, 364 days
7 Arthur L. Andrews

(1934–1996)

 1 August 1981 31 July 1983 1 year, 364 days
8 Sam Parish

(1937–)

 1 August 1983 30 June 1986 2 years, 333 days
9 James C. Binnicker

(1938–2015)

 1 July 1986 31 July 1990 4 years, 30 days
10 Gary R. Pfingston

(1940–2007)

 1 August 1990 25 October 1994 4 years, 85 days
11 David J. Campanale

(1952–)

 26 October 1994 1 November 1996 2 years, 6 days
12 Eric W. Benken

(1951–)

 5 November 1996 30 July 1999 2 years, 267 days
13 Frederick J. Finch

(1956–)

 31 July 1999 28 June 2002 2 years, 332 days
14 Gerald R. Murray

(1956–)

 1 July 2002 30 June 2006 3 years, 364 days
15 Rodney J. McKinley

(1956–)

 30 June 2006 30 June 2009 3 years, 0 days
16 James A. Roy

(1964–)

 1 July 2009 24 January 2013 3 years, 207 days
17 James A. Cody

(1965–)

 24 January 2013 17 February 2017 4 years, 24 days
18 Kaleth O. Wright

(1971-)

 17 February 2017 14 August 2020 3 years, 179 days
19 JoAnne S. Bass

(1974-)

 August 14, 2020 Incumbent 3 years, 136 days

Timeline

JoAnne S. BassKaleth O. WrightJames A. CodyJames A. RoyRodney J. McKinleyGerald R. MurrayFrederick J. FinchEric W. BenkenDavid J. CampanaleGary R. PfingstonJames C. BinnickerSam ParishArthur L. AndrewsJames M. McCoyRobert GaylorThomas N. BarnesRichard D. KislingDonald L. HarlowPaul W. Airey

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CMSAF Transition Ceremony". afdw.af.mil. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "Air Force Senior Leaders". af.mil. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Monthly rates of Basic Pay (Enlisted) – effective January 1, 2023". Defense Financing and Accounting Service. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Joanne S. Bass". United States Air Force. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  5. ↑ "Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi named 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force". U.S. Air Force. Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Cohen, Rachel (11 December 2023). "Meet David Flosi, the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force". Air Force Times. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "AFI 34-1201 Protocol" (PDF). United States Air Force. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  8. ↑ Jablonski, Tech. Sgt. David A. "New CMSAF insignia debuts Nov. 1". Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "DAFI 36-2903" (PDF). United States Air Force. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  10. ↑ CMSAF Transition Ceremony Archived 2013-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "AFH 36-2618 Enlisted Force Structure" (PDF). United States Air Force. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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