Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Information & Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Links at HealthHaven.com

James A. Roy, the current CMSAF

The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force Chief of Staff (AF/CC) and serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force.

The current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is Chief James A. Roy. He is the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force in the history of the U.S. Air Force.

On November 1, 2004, the CMSAF's rank insignia was updated to include the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper field. This puts the insignia in line with those of the Army and Marine Corps who have similar insignia to denote their senior enlisted servicemen. The laurel wreath around the star in the lower field remained unchanged to retain the legacy of the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force.

The CMSAF wears distinctive collar insignia. Traditionally, enlisted airmen's collar insignia was silver-colored "U.S." within a ring. The CMSAF's collar brass replaced the standard ring with a silver laurel wreath. When the Air Force converted to the current business-cut uniform, the ring was removed from enlisted collar brass, making it identical to that of commissioned officers. The CMSAF, however, retained the special wreathed version.

The CMSAF wears a distinctive cap device. Enlisted airmen's cap device is the Coat of Arms of the United States, surrounded by a ring, all struck from silver-colored metal. Much as with the position's distinctive collar brass, the ring is replaced with a laurel wreath for the CMSAF. The Sergeant Major of the Army wears an identical cap device, albeit of gold-colored metal.

All Chief Master Sergeants, including the CMSAF, may also be referred to as "Chief".

[edit] List of CMSAFs

CMSAF Insignia
CMSAF Chevron 1967 – 1991	CMSAF Chevron 1991 – Oct 2004	CMSAF Chevron Nov 2004 – present

CMSAF	Tenure
Paul W. Airey	April 3, 1967 – July 31, 1969
Donald L. Harlow	August 1, 1969 – September 30, 1971
Richard D. Kisling	October 1, 1971– September 30, 1973
Thomas N. Barnes	October 1, 1973 – July 31, 1977
Robert D. Gaylor	August 1, 1977 – July 31, 1979
James M. McCoy	August 1, 1979 – July 31, 1981
Arthur L. Andrews	August 1, 1981 – July 31, 1983
Sam E. Parish	August 1, 1983 – June 30, 1986
James C. Binnicker	July 1, 1986 – July 31, 1990
Gary R. Pfingston	August 1, 1990 – October 25, 1994
David J. Campanale	October 26, 1994 – November 1, 1996
Eric W. Benken	November 5, 1996 – July 30, 1999
Frederick J. Finch	July 31, 1999 – June 28, 2002
Gerald R. Murray	July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2006
Rodney J. McKinley	July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2009
James A. Roy	July 1, 2009 – incumbent^[1]