News United States Air Force
 CMSAF challenges Airmen to ‘make a difference’Published May 12, 2023
                        
                        By Airman 1st Class Katie McKee
                        
                        
                        82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
                **SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --**
                Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force******JoAnne S. Bass**encouraged Airmen to “make our Air Force better” during a visit to**SheppardAir Force Base**,May 8-9. 
 “I need you to make a difference in your organization and make a difference in our Air Force,” Bass said. “Be well aware of this time you’re serving and make our Air Force better, especially in a time like this where we have a pacing challenge such as China. It’s going to be you who helps us make sure that we’re going to be the Air Force that our nation needs.” 
 Bass took the opportunity to address Sheppard AFB’s unique audience – Airmen in training. She urged them to stay focused and maintain their readiness and reiterated the need for continued investment in training and technology. 
 After speaking at the Air Force’s******largest non-commissioned officer academy**, Bass held a permanent party all-call where she emphasized priorities like pay and compensation, improvements to healthcare and recruiting and retaining our force. 
 “When I look at those who have stripes on, we have the most educated and talented enlisted force in history,” Bass said. “We are pushing really hard for a targeted pay raise for the force.” 
 Bass then took questions from Airmen about uniform and grooming standards, the multi-capable airman concept and the Exceptional Family Member******Program**.

​


    
    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass engages with Tech. Sgt. Brittany Ward, 366th Training Squadron instructor May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited Team Sheppard taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)Tech. Sgt. Brittany Ward, 366th Training Squadron instructor, speaks with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass during a visit May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited the training wing taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass poses with members of the 365th Training Squadron after touring the virtual reality classrooms May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited Team Sheppard taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass poses with members of the 365th Training Squadron after touring the virtual reality classrooms May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited the training wing taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    ​


    
    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass holds an all-call to speak with permanent party members May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited Team Sheppard taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    ​Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass holds an all-call to speak with permanent-party members May 8, 2023, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Bass visited the training wing taking the opportunity to experience the mission and vision of Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Katie McKee)


Throughout her visit,Bass focused on the importance of beating our pacing threat in three warfighting domains of information, cyber and space. 
 “There is a sense of urgency across the nation that I’ve never seen before and it’s focused on our pacing challenge–the most sophisticated nation that we have to contend with and that’s China,” Bass said. “We are focusing on the strong relationships that we have with our partner nations to be there for them and train alongside them, so that they know they can count on the United States.” 
 Bass spoke about seeing more change in the next four to six years than we’ve seen in the last 30 years. 
 “What got us here before is not going to be what gets us there in the future. That is what led General **Brown******to pin his strategic approach of******accelerate change or lose**. “While we appreciate the last******75 years**of being a dominant Air Force, a strong Air Force, that is not going to assure us victory and dominance into the future,” Bass said. 
 Throughout her visit, she engaged with multiple squadrons and agencies across SheppardAFB to see firsthand how they’re modernizing classrooms, improving the quality of training and impacting the lives of students.USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



CMSAF 



JoAnne Bass 



chief bass 



82nd TW 



Sheppard AFB 



80th FTW 



Senior Leader 



Distinguished Visitor 



DV 



One Team One Fight 



Teamwork 



pacing challenge 



China 



training 



leaders 



ACOL