Retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley Visits Altus

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Myles Stepp
  • 97 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (retired) Rodney McKinley visited Altus, Okla. to share encouraging words for the base's first sergeants Oct. 1.

Dr. Joe Leverett, chairman of the Altus Military Affairs Committee, hosted CMSAF McKinley to speak to Altus AFB first sergeants about developing Airman leaders.

"I was a first sergeant for over 10 years, as a Master, Senior Master and as a Chief, and I absolutely loved being a first sergeant," said Chief McKinley. "It is a tough, tough job, but they do it. I have nothing but respect for first sergeants."

In Chief McKinley's speech, he included a story about a young Airmen who had a line number for Staff Sergeant, and a spot for Airmen Leadership School, and then was arrested for driving under the influence. The Airman lost his line number and his spot in ALS and was placed in a rehabilitation center. Chief McKinley visited the Airmen in rehab and spoke with him encouragingly, giving the Airman who had lost so much a word of advice and motivation.

Sometime later, at another graduation ceremony, Chief McKinley called the recovered young Airman's name for distinguished honor graduate of his class and as he approached McKinley for his award...

"...that Airman gave me a hug and told me that I saved his life. You can't wear that (first sergeant) diamond without having some impact. It's going to be either positive or negative," said Chief McKinley. "A first sergeant's attitude can make a big difference for their Airmen."

"I really enjoyed (Chief) McKinley's speech, especially the part about making a difference being positive or negative. It was spot on," said Master Sgt. Victor Medlock, 97th Communications Squadron.

Chief McKinley spent 10 years as a first sergeant, and spoke to Altus first sergeants as a mentor, enhancing their skills with his own experiences. It is Chief McKinley's hope the Altus first sergeants will, in turn, develop their Airmen into leaders.

"Our job is to make our Airmen the best Airmen they can possibly be. My greatest achievements are not coins or plaques, but people, and how I saved and motivated them," said Chief McKinley.

"I work a lot of ceremonies and this was by far my favorite with (Chief) McKinley as our speaker," said Airman First Class Joshua Newell, 97th Communications Squadron.

Chief McKinley grew up in Mount Orab, Ohio. He originally entered the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, and re-entered the Air Force in 1982. His background includes various duties in medical and aircraft maintenance, and as a first sergeant and command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. His assignments include bases in North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. The chief also served overseas in the Philippines, Italy and Germany, and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Before assuming the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He was appointed to the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on June 30, 2006.