How do you become the CMSAF?

2016-01-11T08:21:20-05:00

I'm aiming for the top enlisted spot. I know there has to be at least one person here who has gone up for it. I want to know how should those of use who share this goal start working for it? What advice could you pass to young airman who have this goal in mind?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 11 at 2016 8:46 AM

2016-01-11T08:46:49-05:00

Look at the Biographies of the last 5. Look for common themes and trends.

Treat their bio as a resume that you want to emulate and expand upon. Schools, billets, education, etc. set yourself up for success. Then do more.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jan 11 at 2016 8:56 AM

2016-01-11T08:56:24-05:00

TSgt Terry Hudson , I'm happy you are SOOO motivated and full of energy. It is a wonderful trait that will carry you far. I am not a Chief as you can see, but still have 3 recommendations. First, crush your current job...be the best at what you do and volunteer for all duties at the highest levels you can. Imagine how you could help your wing or NAF commander. Know his priorities and goals and the Wing's/NAF's challenges and upcoming events where you could play a role. (your NAF commander, Lt Gen "Hit Me" Nowland is a UPT classmate and friend of mine. He is a visionary person and appreciates innovative ideas for C2) 2nd, recognize that your AFSC limits your visibility and opportunity to meet senior leaders. 3rd, review previous CMSAF bios and find the common themes. They did a LOT, they moved a LOT, they knew thousands of people, they experienced combat, they knew the pentagon, and they performed outstanding service throughout their career. A supremely high goal to be sure. The good news is, your path in seeking it will make both you and the AF better, and you will be rewarded internally and externally, even if CMSAF ends up not being your final destination.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 11 at 2016 10:12 AM

2016-01-11T10:12:10-05:00

That's a lofty goal, young airman! While having not gone for it, I know you should take every opportunity to improve yourself, get a degree and take every in-service school you can get into. Good luck!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-01-11T11:19:38-05:00

Do you current job VERY well. Continue to educate yourself in all aspects.

We once had a young man who had potential written all over. BUT, he was in an entry position which he felt was no challenge. Consequently he did not perform well on his current job.

He never progressed.

'Nuf said.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 11:28 AM

2016-01-11T11:28:24-05:00

Aim High!

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jan 11 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-01-11T12:58:16-05:00

I'll start by saying that I don't really know and i doubt many people do. However, certain things are a given, It will take a spotless record, great work ethic, and exceptional job skills. It will also take a full >30 years to get there and as you probably know most NCO's face critical enlistment decisions around year 8, year 12, and again at year 19, just about the time most of us start to raise a family. So don't be surprised or disappointed if your priorities change as your career progresses, it's perfectly normal.

A great record, exceptional work ethic. skills, and a willingness to stay in service will give you a very good shot at making Chief, but CMSAF is a long short in the best of situations. You literally have to be the right person, in the right place, at the just right time (I call it directed luck). Also, no one makes CMSAF without being known by and preferably having worked for and mentored by a Senior Officer on his/her way to four stars. This means taking and excelling at Staff positions (Wing, NAF, MAJCOM, and the Pentagon).

I have a little story to tell. In my youth, I attended Leadership School with both a future CMSAF and a future Top 12 Airman of the year winner. From what I can remember, the future CMSAF was nice enough, intelligent, and professional. We were both flight leaders and (I believe) we both were distinguished graduates. However, at that point in his career he did not seem to stand out to me in any noticeable way.

On the other hand my first impression of the future Top 12 Airman of the year winner was "what a suck up". It took me several days to realize he wasn't sucking up, but that was he in fact, a genuinely great person. What threw me off was that he was just so nice and friendly to EVERYONE. We eventually became good friends and I even apologized to him for my first impression. Now he stood out to me from day one. He was willing to help everyone with anything and in any way he could. He did enormous amounts of volunteer work, long before it was a requirement for promotion or a firewall performance report and more importantly he did it because he truly enjoyed helping others. He made a point of remembering people's names and the little details about their lives. He called people he just met by their first names, everyone from waitresses and cashiers to his classmates spouses. FYI: That is a great skill to develop and will serve you well in both your career and personal life.

Now the point of my little story is that we all had excellent careers (as I'm sure you will as well). I decided that 20 years was enough and moved on to a very successful civilian career. One of us was fortunate enough to go as far CMSAF and another was recognized as one of the very best the Air Force has to offer. But at this point, I barely remember anything about the weeks I spent in class with a future CMSAF. However, I'll always remember the "great" guy who was always willing to help out.

We all make choices that shape who we are and what we will become in life and sometimes things happen that we cannot control. Do your best! Take care of your troops! and Good Luck.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-01-11T13:02:05-05:00

First and foremost, never do anything simply to get promoted!! The job that you have right now is the most important one in the Air Force and that is the focus you should always have no matter what that position is.

That said, everyone wants to be appreciated and promotion is the way we show that best, so my advice starts with striving to be the absolute best at whatever profession the Air Force has hired you to do. Study, apply and exploit the AFIs, OIs, TOs, and SOPs and make a name for yourself by being the expert in your AFSC who people can turn to and trust. Always look for ways to improve your skill set personally and professionally.

Next, get involved and develop your leadership style in every avenue possible as early as possible. Whether its a professional council on base, AFSA, the PTA, youth sports, your housing association or whatever organization you enjoy being a part of, look for opportunities to lead something. Never be afraid of failing, and if it happens be sure to take accountability for it and learn from it.

As you rise through the ranks take great care of the manpower and resources entrusted to you and understand that your career becomes less about you and more about the ones you are expected to lead. With that in mind, look for ways to grow your leadership and breadth of experience by stepping outside your AFSC to do things like teach PME, MTI, First Sergeant duty, Recruiter duty, or one of the other DSD vectors. Gain as many leadership experiences as possible.

The main thing promotion boards look at when selecting personnel into our top pay grades is the ability to lead, and that is what your military resume needs to reflect.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 4:06 PM

2016-01-11T16:06:47-05:00

Come see me when I transfer to the USAF. I will promise you, that I will train you to be physically fit for that task....

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 4:06 PM

2016-01-11T16:06:55-05:00

Good afternoon SSgt Hudson,

I can speak from the Marine side of things, as others have offered great pointers, what I used to do is read the biographies of senior enlisted leaders, and find a pattern. In my observation, they did did multiple tours, duty stations (not just a lot but all over), B-Billets and Special Duty Assignments (some did Drill Instructor and Recruiter even, for example), and above all were excellent at their MOS (in your case AFSC). In addition, they completed a fair amount of service schools, and did some regular education on the side - items that will help you regardless if you pursue CMSAF.

One particular example that comes to my mind is one of my previous SgtMaj's, SgtMaj Black, one of the hardest Marines I've known (pretty sure in recent history as well). I would encourage you to look his bio up (he's currently the SgtMaj for the 1st Marine Logistics Group), in addition to everything he did, he was always reading manuals and instructions from other branches/military's, past and current news, etc etc. and knew all these orders, customs and courtesies, and regulations beyond the scope of his work. He's been in all components of the USMC except the AirWing side, but wouldn't be surprised if was attached at some point to them.

When he was my SgtMaj and walking the Motor Pool, I know even the ants were in step, with their boots bloused, 40 inches back to chest, covered and aligned...... and he also had a very interesting "tickle butt" theory to put things in perspective and make his point.

With all this being said, I would focus on your development as an NCO (SNCO soon hopefully) first, as some of the factors involved are at this time and will be out of your control. Know your orders and regulations, volunteer for a B-Billet, and hope that you can eventually get PCS'd to a high-speed (joint) assignment to get exposure and experience that would count if you are ever boarded or looked at. That's all you can do, and hope the moons (not stars) align and that we have the proper ingredients for the fire spell ready...

Stay motivated, lead by example and haze (not just boots) when needed.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 11 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-01-11T18:28:25-05:00

I think that having this goal is ambitious but reachable. I believe that the fact that you are aiming at the top spot is not going to get you there. Great to have goals and if it happens, great on you. Here and now is what is going to get you there in the future. Best thing you can do along the way is your PME, get your education, take the jobs given and be the best at and own them so you get noticed for being the expert, take care of your people with a genuine care and lead from the front. If you do all of those things plus the advice listed below from any others, everything will fall into place. Don't get TO'd if it doesn't happen. To be a Chief is Top 3% of all enlisted and to get the top spot is well...you know the odds. If it is what you want then set the goals and get there.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 12 at 2016 12:59 AM

2016-01-12T00:59:12-05:00

Well, I would say hard work, and being what right looks like 24/7. So, do your best everyday, and focus on your team/troops. Even if you make E-9, I would say making to the tippy top also involves a little timing and a little luck.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-01-12T01:29:07-05:00

You totally ignore your primary AFSC, this won't matter to you as the top enlisted leader. Instead you spend all your on duty time taking college courses because even thought the little brown book says CCAF you will need your masters degree to be competitive. Next you get envolved with all the base social clubs 5/6, top 3 ect... These will give you the opportunity to win awards, especially if you can get a board position in those shark tanks. If you carry out these instructions you should be E-9 in no time because TIG/TIS points are lessened now and you will surly get the promote now from the commander. All sarcasm aside, I would just focus on your current position learn everything you can and be an effective first line supervisor vs the guy mentioned above but I'm pretty sure that is the only way to make CMSAF.

Response by Sgt Bruce C. made Jan 12 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-01-12T12:35:49-05:00

I don't want to be negative here, but what people see first is important, don't always agree with it, but it is a way of life. Change your picture, get one up there that shows you in uniform, at least one without the hat or head phones. What you have might be good for Facebook, here your asking about being the CMSAF, look the part starting now, you never know who might look at your profile.

Response by MSgt Devon Saunders made Jan 17 at 2016 11:31 PM

2016-01-17T23:31:47-05:00

Sir,
First thing is to excel in your job. It's not enough to be good at it. You need to be the SME. Second, education cannot be stressed enough. Not just off-duty education but educating yourself on AFIs, TOs, SOPs etc. Third, study, study, study!!! Fourth, get yourself known. If you volunteer, it's not enough to participate!! You need to LEAD. Lead Wg events, MC Wg ceremonies, such as promotions, awards etc. Knock out your PME early as possible. CCAF. Deploying. I hope you get the picture. Good luck in your endeavors!!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 4:19 AM

2016-01-18T04:19:57-05:00

Not being enlisted I am not 100% qualified to answer.

It is good you have your sights set high. However, your question in akin to Captain asking what does it take to become the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. There really is no right answer. These higher level leadership positions are generally the result of being at the right assignment at the right time. A lot of it has to do with visibility and who you may have worked for in a past life. In some sense it is probably a good deal of politics.

To excel and I suppose even be in the running for future leadership positions the bet way is to be the best Staff Sergeant that you can be and do those things that are in your control, like excel in your promotion testing, be the go to guy at your job, have stellar PT scores and get a degree. Bottom line is to stand out from your peers. Keep in mind that this does not mean you have to be a jerk and become full of yourself. But doing your job well does not hurt.

I suppose if there is a path. Become a wing command chief. Then get into a numbered Air Force slot command chief job then a MAJCOM, preferably ACC, since this will be the command that will most likely produce subsequent CSAF's. I would have to assume that having visibility with the ACC leadership probably does not hurt either.

Response by CMSgt Dennis Heath made Jan 18 at 2016 10:40 PM

2016-01-18T22:40:50-05:00

Confidence, professionalism, true humility, empathy, compassion, focus, selflessness, teamwork, sacrifice, drive, excellence, integrity, vision, creativity, trustworthy... A long list of qualities that should be spoken of you, but not by you. Care for your family must be a top priority. Care for your subordinates is equally important. Laser-focus on the mission must always be readily apparent to your command chain. Volunteer for difficult assignments, but don't get entrenched. Be genuine! Be smart! Be the best!

Response by CMSgt Robert Remel made Jun 28 at 2016 2:50 PM

2016-06-28T14:50:50-04:00

It was different time back then.
I volunteered for Vietnam.
Over and over again.
By the time I got back my last time......I had more Combat Experience
than any Supervisory Firefighter at my next Base.
Went to all the schools I could.
Woke up one day in 1983 with a line # for Chief !

Response by CMSgt Robert Remel made Jun 28 at 2016 3:22 PM

2016-06-28T15:22:03-04:00

Terry....was never one to follow anyone. The AF gave me everything I needed to be promoted ! And I took advantage of that everyday ! 1957-1990. Chief 1983. 100% Combat Disabled Vietnam Veteran.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 6 at 2019 1:56 PM

2019-08-06T13:56:39-04:00

Go for it!