Former Chief provides link from past to present

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, visited here April 9, bringing with him insight, knowledge and humor as he addressed attendees at an enlisted call, officers call and the Chiefs Recognition Ceremony.

Chief Gaylor entered the Air Force only a year after it became a separate service from the Army. He admitted that when he and a friend decided to join, they did not even realize a change had taken place.

"I doubt that either one of us even knew that the Air Force had recently separated from the Army," explained Chief Gaylor. "I think we were influenced by young men in our hometown who had served in the Air Corps during World War II. When I got to Lackland [Air Force Base, Texas] for basic training, if you had said to me, 'Are you aware the Air Force became its own branch a year ago?' I would have said no."

But today, Chief Gaylor understands how important it is to provide that link from the past to the present. He served from 1948 to 1979 and has a lot of insight as to how the service has evolved.

He feels it is vital to tell today's Airmen about the past for two reasons. First, to keep people from making the same mistakes and, secondly, he feels that by knowing where you came from, you will have more pride in what you do.

"There seems to be an interest in Air Force history, Air Force heritage," said Chief Gaylor. "I'm the old guy. I've been around for 61 years. People see me as a source for information. I'm a conduit of the Air Force of the past and the Air Force of today."

Although he thinks of himself as an entertainer that just happens to have Air Force knowledge, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force provides those who listen to him with a combination of humor and provocative information.

The chief visits around 30 or 35 bases a year and Hanscom is the 11th on his itinerary in 2010. He also speaks to ROTC units and other military affiliated groups around the country.

Chief Gaylor's visits really picked up in 1997, during the 50th anniversary of the Air Force.

"It was like people were saying, 'You know what? Fifty years! I'd like to know how the Air Force started.'"

But just as much as Airmen may want to hear about Chief Gaylor and his experiences in the Air Force of yesterday, the former chief wants to hear about Airmen and their experiences in the Air Force today. When he visits a base, he wants to talk to the Airmen.

"The human side of the Air Force is more impressive to me than the equipment side of the Air Force."

Of the many changes that have taken place since Chief Gaylor's time in service, the most significant has been the technology and the Airmen's understanding of it.

"Every office I walk into has gadgetry," he described. "I was a cop. When I go into the security forces unit today and I see the devices they have, I just shake my head. We didn't have any of that."

But the gadgetry isn't what excites the fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force. It's what's behind it.

"But even more impressive than that are the Airmen who are able to maintain and operate it," said Gaylor. "If you think for a moment, a piece of equipment is of no value unless somebody maintains and operates it."

Gaylor admits that as he tours bases and gets to know Airmen, he's impressed with their knowledge. A senior airman who gives a brief on very hi-tech pieces of equipment "wows" the retired chief more than the equipment itself.

Gaylor says the development of the enlisted force has also been significant. During his visits he sees that supervisors let the enlisted members do their job and take into consideration their thoughts and concerns. Greater reliance on enlisted members has been something that has evolved and improved since his time in the service.

The chief also touched on the emphasis the service now places on families.

"When I went to Korea in 1956, we had three kids. There was no program designed to care for my family," he said.

The Air Force has come a long way in family support, according to Chief Gaylor. Although he says there is more to be done, he hopes people appreciate how far family services have come and thinks every year should be Year of the Air Force Family.

According to the chief, Hanscom is a good illustration of all the things he touches on when he speaks.

"There's a tremendous knowledge base here at Hanscom and the mission is so vital," he said during his visit. "I appreciate the importance of the missions that take place here. Every base I go to has a different mission. Where I'm lucky is I get to see how it all comes together."