Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force


The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and position of office represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, unless an enlisted airman is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman. The CMSAF 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 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 Kaleth O. Wright. On February 17, 2017, Chief Kaleth O. Wright succeeded Chief James A. Cody, to become the 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. On June 19, 2020, it was announced that Chief Wright will be succeeded by Command Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne Bass.
Although the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a non-commissioned officer, protocol states that the CMSAF has precedence over all lieutenant generals at joint events, and over all lieutenant generals except the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force at Air Force exclusive events.

Rank insignia and positional colors

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 which 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. The CMSAF also 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.
The Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman are the only members of the United States armed forces below the rank of brigadier general/rear admiral, lower half to be authorized a positional color. First considered in 1992, the SMA's color has been authorized since 22 March 1999. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force colors were authorized in January 2013.
The official term of address for the CMSAF is "Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force" or "Chief."

Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force

#PictureNameTenure fromTenure to
1Airey Paul W. Airey
2Harlow Donald L. Harlow
3Kisling Richard D. Kisling
4Barnes Thomas N. Barnes
5Gaylor Robert D. Gaylor
6Puckett James M. McCoy
7Andrews Arthur L. Andrews
8Parish Sam E. Parish
9Binnicker James C. Binnicker
10Pfingston Gary R. Pfingston
11Campanale David J. Campanale
12Benken Eric W. Benken
13Finch Frederick J. Finch
14Murray Gerald R. Murray
15McKinley Rodney J. McKinley
16Roy James A. Roy
17Cody James A. Cody
18Wright Kaleth O. WrightIncumbent
19Bass JoAnne S. BassIncoming