Former CMSAF visits Sheppard Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gaylor, entertained Sheppard Airmen-in-training March 7 at the base theater with anecdotes, that drew laughter from the audience, and also career advice. 

After 31 years of service, Chief Gaylor served as Chief Master Sgt of the Air Force from 1977-1979 and retired as one of only 15 in Air Force history. Now, Chief Gaylor serves his country in a different, but equally significant way. 

Each year Chief Gaylor travels from one air base to another. In 2008 he visited 16 bases. This visit, he stressed the benefits of smart investments and individuality through comical stories of his real-life experiences including "the shoe story." This is a favorite of his that he tells at every base, he said. 

His son, Kenny, wasn't very skilled at basketball, but it was one of the few sports offered at that school. 

"At least I'll have something to do, use the fitness center, and be with my buddies," Chief Gaylor said quoting Kenny. 

After two weeks of practicing the team's coach wanted the players to get "some good shoes" preferably $100 Converse shoes. However, the coach went up to Kenny after that announcement. Instead of providing words of encouragement, the coach provided financial advice when he said ,"Gaylor, don't spend a lot of money on shoes," Chief Gaylor said quoting Kenny's coach. 

"Kenny thought it was hilarious," Chief Gaylor said. 

Instead he and Kenny spent approximately $28-30 on the shoes and Kenny was convinced to focus more on investing in academics. He maintained a 3.6 grade point average, and joined ROTC his junior year in high school. Later he went on to become a second lieutenant in the Air Force. 

"I think you can say he made the right investments, now comes the hard question. Are you making the right investments?" Chief Gaylor said. 

"It was informative and taught me not to invest the small things," said Airman Spencer Lujan of the 360th Training Squadron, in reference to the story. 

While some Airmen took the message literally, others saw it from another viewpoint.
"It told me to look at the big picture," said Airman Alex Prince of 362nd TRS, about the story. "It gave us useful knowledge." 

Chief Gaylor also encouraged the AiT's to have pride in themselves and their jobs with other stories that were followed by a moral. 

The "bomber guard story" is about an Airman that didn't understand the importance of a job he was assigned, the chief said. 

"I asked him, 'what do you do here?" said Chief Gaylor in reference to the Airman he met.
"Walk...back and forth...until I'm picked up," said Chief Gaylor quoting the Airman. 

"This young Airman turned out to be guarding a B-52 bomber," the chief said. 

"Aptitude defines how well you can do something, some people with an aptitude shoot themselves in the foot with bad attitude," said Chief Gaylor figuratively, "but put aptitude and a good attitude together, and you've got a fine Airman. 

"Don't ever say 'I'm just an Airman.' I want to hear the pride. You should say 'I am an Airman,'" Chief Gaylor said. "The United States Air Force needs you because your talents will help keep the mission in play." 

Chief Gaylor's words served as motivation to Airmen. 

"It made me proud to be an Airman," said Airman Basic Frank Lara of the 362nd TRS, about the speech, "I hope I run into him again in the future to share experiences and compare them to his."