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Chief master sergeant selects attend a seminar with guest speaker retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley March 2 on Ramstein. McKinley served as CMSAF from June 2006 to June 2009.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley spent five days visiting with Team Ramstein members March 1 to 5.
McKinley spoke at the Chief Recognition Ceremony, Airman Leadership School, and the Kisling NCO Academy. He also toured the base, discussing leadership and followership with Airmen in their units.
“The biggest thing you can do is get to know your Airmen,” McKinley said. “If they know you care about them, they’ll work better for you.”
During McKinley’s tenure as CMSAF the Air Force went through a period of great transition. McKinley’s role in stabilizing the enlisted force aided in the continued pursuit of global airpower.
“I loved every minute of my time in the Air Force,” McKinley said. “Some more than others, but there’s a reason I came back into the service. My time as Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force was a big trial. We had to fight to get money to improve the dorms.”
McKinley fielded questions from students at the Kisling NCO Academy and Airman Leadership School about effective leadership and mentorship saying, “Your effective listening will do more good than 90 percent of yelling.”
To conclude the trip to Germany, McKinley was the key note speaker at the Ramstein Chief Recognition Ceremony.
“Being a chief is a massive privilege and an even larger responsibility,” he said. “The future of the Air Force rests in your hands.”
McKinley finished by stating that the cost of leadership may be expensive, but the benefits and rewards are worth the time and effort.
“Do your job, do it to the best of your ability,” McKinley said. “And your people will do theirs.”
