Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addresses non-prior service students on the parade field during a two-day visit of at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Sept. 22-23, 2014. The purpose of the visit was to thank  Keesler AFB members and further understand the various missions here, including 2nd Air Force, 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marie Floyd)140922-F-9999X-035
                        
                        
                        Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addresses non-prior service students on the parade field during a two-day visit of at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Sept. 22-23, 2014. The purpose of the visit was to thank  Keesler AFB members and further understand the various missions here, including 2nd Air Force, 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marie Floyd)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody recognizes Tech. Sgt. Christina Camp with a coin as her supervisor, Desirae McIntyre, stands by Sept. 23, 2014, at the Welch Theater on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The purpose of the two-day visit was to thank Keesler AFB members and further understand the various missions here, including 2nd Air Force, 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. Camp is assigned to the 334th Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kemberly Groue)140923-F-BD983-201
                        
                        
                        Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody recognizes Tech. Sgt. Christina Camp with a coin as her supervisor, Desirae McIntyre, stands by Sept. 23, 2014, at the Welch Theater on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The purpose of the two-day visit was to thank Keesler AFB members and further understand the various missions here, including 2nd Air Force, 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. Camp is assigned to the 334th Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kemberly Groue)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

CMSAF visits KeeslerPublished Sept. 25, 2014
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
                    
                    
                    81st Training Wing Public Affairs
            **KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) --**Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, the service's highest ranking enlisted leader, visited Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 22-23.
During the visit, Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, toured base organizations, met with the Airmen who train and work here, hosted two all calls and spoke about the changes and constants of today's Air Force.
"The main purpose for our visit is to come out and thank our Airmen, to let them know that while we certainly have a lot going on in our Air Force, we're still thinking about them," Cody said. "It's also extremely important that we have the opportunity to interact with them and establish a dialogue where we get straight, candid feedback about what is going on where they operate in our Air Force."
A common subject for discussion was the impending changes to enlisted evaluation and promotion systems.
"Basically we're going to take the system and bring it to where it needs to be, and put the measures in place so it requires a level of discernment amongst our people, specifically when it comes to a promotion recommendation," Cody said. "We will decouple performance and promotion recommendations; performance will influence promotion, but they are not synonymous."
The new Airman Comprehensive Assessment, released in July 2014, was the starting point of the Enlisted Evaluation System overhaul. The changes to the feedback form will help clarify expectations and strengthen the relationship between supervisor and subordinate, he added.
"Chief Cody explained how important the new feedback form is to the conversation between supervisors and Airmen," said Master Sgt. Brian Johns, an 81st Training Wing career assistance advisor. "It's not just a form to fill out, it's a conversation. He also spoke to our NCO Professional Enhancement and Airman Leadership School students regarding the new EES, and they were very happy to have the new processes clarified."
Cody has been witness to many transformations in the Air Force, having graduated from technical training at Keesler AFB in 1985.
"A lot has changed, for both Athena and me," Cody said. "I tell our story together because it has been a journey, a career and a lifetime together and it started for both of us here nearly 30 years ago." 
The chief and his wife attended air traffic control school together and returned to Keesler AFB several times throughout their careers.
"Technological advancements have nestled their way into Keesler over time, and a lot of the infrastructure has been dramatically updated," Cody added.
The historic importance of Keesler AFB has been evident throughout the years since its establishment in 1941, Cody said.
Airmen train here for jobs across the entire Air Force, and that has been a constant in Keesler heritage. A big difference for today's generation, however, is the knowledge of new Airmen. 
"Airmen coming in today are more capable," Cody said. "A lot of that has to do with the evolution of education in society. They come in with a higher intellect because they've grown up in this time where they have access to a plethora of information." 
Today's Airmen are also trained slightly different, technological advances aside.
"When Athena and I came in in the mid-80s, we were a Cold War-era type of force," Cody said. "We weren't teaching Airmen expeditionary skills. But the Airmen in our Air Force today are trained that way, so the idea of having a wingman to be there with you and to be able to rely on them takes on a different connotation. There was always this idea that it was important to take care of your fellow Airmen, but it has evolved over time." 
Cody urged graduating Airmen to keep concepts learned in basic military and technical training, like wingmanship, as a part of their constant focus.
"They have to remember what it all started with -- this idea of being a part of something bigger than themselves and holding themselves to higher standards -- and have that at the forefront of everything they do."
Cody emphasized the Air Force core values as a foundation for a successful career.
"He explained that faith is a subunit of the Air Force core values," said Senior Airman Daniel Blas, an 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator. "That faith in leadership and in our Airmen is a part of our creed, even though it isn't explicitly listed."
In the current Air Force climate of change, stability can be found in Airmanship and in the mission.
"It's appropriate and fair to have questions and want to know what might be happening in their Air Force, but first and foremost we need to stay focused on the mission we have been assigned to do," Cody said. "Do your best every day. You've worked hard to be an Airman thus far, and it takes hard work every day to earn the privilege to be here."James A. Cody 



Keesler AFB 



AETC 



promotion 



WAPS 



evaluation 



CMSAF

Related Links
        CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE JAMES A. CODY
                                Jan. 25, 2013
                                Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. 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 Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil