Former CMSAF visits MacDill,grads

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla --  Members of the 6th Air Mobility Wing were able to see and speak with a member of Air Force history when the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, Robert D. Gaylor and his wife Selma visited the base April 23 through 27th.

Chief Gaylor's primary reason for visiting the base was to speak as the guest speaker to the newest MacDill Community College of the Air Force graduates during their commencement April 24.

On his 14th base visit, Chief Gaylor and his wife also took the time to speak with the students of the ongoing Airman Leadership School class. While there, Chief Gaylor spoke mainly on what should be invested in.

"There are three things that you [ALS students] should be investing in," said Chief Gaylor. "Which are physical fitness, financial stability and education.

"People should really take the time to invest in the body," the Chief commented. "It's the only one you are going to get. Now it's so easy, there are so many ways you can start to get in shape from working out to doing yoga to just walking or running. There are so many choices when it comes to getting fit."

The Chief also commented to the soon-to-be NCOs about being financially stable. If Airmen ever want to stop working he replied, we need to know how to save

"You should be putting money away every single month," he replied "It doesn't really matter how you do it as long as it gets saved. Put it in a savings account or under your bed or even buried in the backyard in a mayonnaise jar ... as long as you save."

Since the purpose of Chief and Mrs. Gaylor's visit to the base was to speak at the CCAF commencement, education was also a topic that was spoken about.

"You're investing in your future when you go for your education," he said. "The Air Force is practically paying you to get your education so take advantage of this resource. It will only benefit you in the long run."

The ALS students also got a chance to ask the former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force and his wife some questions.

One of the questions asked was how he was able to balance military life and family life and Mrs. Gaylor took the opportunity to help answer that question.

"It was a learning experience for the both of us," said Mrs. Gaylor. "At the beginning of his career he was all about the Air Force, and I was too. It took time for us to finally find the partnership between us."

"Instead of it being my decision about my career," said Chief Gaylor. "It then became our decision and what is best for us."

Mrs. Gaylor commented that it was the little things that helped that transition.

"It was things like just sharing our every day experiences with each other," she said. "He would come home from work and tell me about the little things that happened at work and I would tell him all that went on with the kids that day,"

After sharing, they had one last comment for the ALS students ... thank you.

"I love the Air Force," said Mrs. Gaylor. "I love the Air Force of yesterday, of today and of tomorrow. And we are both truly blessed that we can still be a part of this family. We thank all of you for what you do every single day to make our Air Force great"