What is the difference between an Air Force Chief Master sergeant and an E9?

Answer 1

Well...this a a common question that many Airmen (all ranks) have pondered over many decades; the answer can and will vary...depending on who you happen to be talking to; considering the varied values and principles in play of the perceiver. I have been serving in the USAF for over 14 years; before that I was raised under a military household. Over the years, I have observed an erosion of basic principles and ethical behavior that originally founded the framework from which all Airmen were created. A Chief, in the traditional sense, is one who has a genuine pulse of his/her enlisted people; as an ambassador for the enlisted corps, speaks with bold and passionate statements regarding the mission and overall purpose of why we are here, providing a sense of reality to the intuitive and strategic science projects that many officers wish to impose on the enlisted corps. A true mentor, having the ability to connect the things we do do a much larger picture and articulate that message from a balanced perspective establishing buy-in from the troops. Standing guard and providing watch over the fundamentals that the Air Force was founded upon. Is in it for others, and demonstrates that in both their words and more importantly actions-modeling and enforcing the professional, compassionate and ethical behavior expected of all Airmen. An E9 on the other hand in many ways is very similar, but in many ways the exact opposite. An E9 is in it for themselves; self centered and focused on their own career enhancement that that of the big picture and position of influence over others. They are more concerned with "what footprint will I leave on the Air Force that will go down in history books?" As opposed to focusing on the impact they are having here and now and the genuine respect they may or may not have from organization or troops below them. Losing sight of core fundamentals, E9s love change...and enforce change (how can we do things different); over the years and with the advancement of technology, the Air Force in particular (can't speak for the other services) has taken full advantage of the "ease of access" route; choosing to communicate via email, create spreadsheet upon spreadsheet, and make judgements based upon statistical data verses "getting out from behind the desk". We as an entire organization have dramatically lost the art of communication, focusing more on, "did you include the attachment" or "why are you yelling at me...email in all CAPS". Although it's only relevant to keep up with the changing environment, adapting as appropriate to meet mission requirements, we can't degrade the value of face-to-face communication and the importance of getting to genuinely know your troops. Their concerns, struggles, strengths...just to name a few. That is in my opinion, the difference between a Chief and an E9...the genuine don't care factor, and is it demonstrated in the behavior you model for your Airmen. Where is your focus...on self, or others...