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New chief master sgt. lays out priorities

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — Chief Master Sgt. James Roy slipped off his service coat and put on one that Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz handed him.

The rank on the sleeve is unique: Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

Roy, the chief enlisted leader of U.S. Pacific Command for the last two years, became the service’s chief enlisted leader June 30 when Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley retired. A ceremony here honored both men.

During the ceremony, an airman wondered aloud if Schwartz would give Roy something besides the coat and a handshake, the thing that most enlistees get when they’re promoted.

“Is he gonna punch him in the arm?” the airman said only loud enough to be heard by those close to him.

Roy’s old boss, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, looked as though he might be tempted to do the honors, but he didn’t. If the thought crossed Schwartz’s mind, he didn’t show it.

As the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Roy will advise both Schwartz and Secretary Michael Donley on all matters related to enlisted airmen and their families.

Roy enters his new office in the Pentagon with plenty of issues facing the service: a new physical training program that goes into effect in January, grades on enlisted performance reports that need to be brought back into line and decisions on uniforms — yes or no on a stain-resistant green boot and the Heritage coat — that are on hold.

“It’s amazing how some things never change. Uniforms are still a hot subject and so are the boots,” McKinley said, reflecting on his 30 years of service.

In an interview with Air Force Times shortly after his appointment in mid-May, Roy acknowledged he will get to those issues. At the ceremony, though, he listed taking care of airmen’s families, maintaining care for wounded warriors and improving professional development as his top priorities.

“Supporting our tens of thousands of airmen deployed are the family members who keep the home fires burning. We must continue taking time to care for and honor our commitment to our families,” he said.

A Michigan native, Roy and his wife, Paula, have two children, 10-year-old twin boys. He entered the service as a heavy machine operator in 1982 and worked his way up to chief in 17 years.

He arrives in the nation’s capital with several Pacific assignments under his belt, including his most recent one. At Camp Smith, Hawaii, Roy saw firsthand how important it was to prepare airmen to work in joint combatant commands.

“Our teammates are looking to airmen to seamlessly integrate in order to win the two wars in which we are engaged,” he said. “We’re doing that now, and we will continue to explore ways to be more effective.”

Schwartz cited Roy’s work at establishing partnerships with Pacific militaries as a key element that set him apart from other candidates. He said he expects Roy to expand that work to the Iraqi and Afghan militaries.

“Chief Schwartz and I are confident that you are the right airman to serve as No. 16,” Donley told Roy.

After three years in Washington and three decades in the Air Force, McKinley and his wife, Paula, are moving to Oklahoma City to be near their children and grandchildren.

McKinley didn’t take the typical route to become the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force — even separating from the service for five years early in his career.

“The past three years have been incredible. I can’t believe this small-town boy from Ohio could grow up and have these opportunities,” he said.

McKinley started as an emergency room technician before cross-training into aircraft maintenance. As a senior noncommissioned officer, he served four straight assignments as a first sergeant. Former Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley appointed him as the top enlistee after serving as the command chief master sergeant of Pacific Air Forces.

McKinley will be remembered for his work to upgrade the service’s fitness program, improving care for wounded warriors and helping enlistees get college degrees.

“He’s been an indispensable partner and member of the Air Force team, skillfully executing every aspect of his duties positively affecting airmen’s lives and addressing matters of significant national importance,” Schwartz said.

McKinley also oversaw dedication of the Air Force memorial in 2006. “It was my proudest moment because it was dedicated to the 55,000 airmen that have given their lives,” he said.

Nonetheless, McKinley insists he doesn’t want to be remembered for any one achievement.

“I want airmen to remember that it wasn’t about me. It was always about them. It’s about taking care of airmen and their families,” he said. “I care about them.”