Eighth CMSAF schools ALS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  During a visit to McConnell, 8th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Sam Parish spoke with members of the most recent Airman Leadership School class and many other Airmen about the state of the Air Force Jan. 18, 2013.

"We have the best enlisted force that we've ever had in the history of the Air Force," said Parish. "You're the most educated, dedicated and disciplined enlisted force that our nation has ever seen."

Parish, who served for 31 years on active duty - 18 of those years as a chief master sergeant, travels the country speaking to ALS students about how he managed to earn the title of 8th CMSAF in 1983 and what he has learned in his 59-year-affiliation with Air Force.

"I've been a part of the Air Force since it was seven years old," said Parish, "and now we're the smallest enlisted force we've ever been."

Parrish emphasized that in the face of a difficult situation, determination is the best way to overcome obstacles.

"If you're told to do something," he said, "take pride in yourself, in your people and do it instead of pushing it down the road for later."

The Airmen in ALS said that they took great pleasure in getting the chance to speak with a CMSAF in the final stage before supervision.

"I looked at his visit as an opportunity that many of my peers did not have," said Senior Airman Michael Davis, 22nd Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician and current ALS student. "Not everyone gets to witness first-hand someone of that caliber."

While ALS teaches Airmen how to become a non-commissioned officer and supervise Junior Airmen, it is very rare that the students are taught from 59 years of experience.

"We, as instructors, are very grateful for this," said Master Sgt. Rachael Hall, 22nd Force Support Squadron ALS commandant. "I hope they see the value in this opportunity, it's a rarity for Airmen to hear from a chief master sergeant of the Air Force in person."

The final subject that Parish touched on was mentorship in the Air Force and what it really means.

"[Mentorship] has nothing to with you getting promoted," said Parish. "What it means to me is that someone has taken an interest in you and wants to see you excel and do well because you've got something special to offer. They give you a job you know you can't do, and then make sure you don't fail while you're doing it."

Parish, who recently underwent chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer, continues to travel around the country to speak to the Airmen of today's Air Force. While his visit with Team McConnell was brief, he gave many of the young Airmen an experience they will not soon forget.