CSAF selects next enlisted leader

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott Moorman
  • Air University Public Affairs
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz selected Chief Master Sgt. Jim Roy as the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force.

Current Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley made the announcement in front of 323 chief master sergeants and four former chief master sergeants of the Air Force attending the Senior Enlisted Leader Summit held at Maxwell's Gunter Annex.

The Monroe, Mich., native will assume the duties of the Air Force's highest enlisted position after a June 30 retirement ceremony honoring Chief McKinley and his 30 years as an Airman.

Chief Roy said his initial reaction was excitement. "In one word, "Wow,"" he said. "I'm honored and blessed to be chosen as the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force and look forward to working with General Schwartz and Secretary of the Air Force Donley to represent the best interests of our Air Force family to our nation's leaders as we support today's joint fighter." 

The former civil engineer heavy equipment operator currently serves as the command chief for the United States Pacific Command, a unified combatant command of the armed forces, headquartered at Camp Smith, Hawaii.

"This is a good day for all Airmen," General Schwartz said. "While they will lose a tremendous leader and advocate in Chief McKinley, they gain a worthy successor in Chief Roy. Given his record and reputation, I am confident that Chief Roy will carry the best interests of our Air Force family forward to our nation's leaders as we support today's joint fight and rebalance our force for the challenges ahead."

In his duties as the PACOM Senior Enlisted Leader and advisor, Chief Roy traveled extensively throughout the Asia-Pacific region meeting not only with U.S. servicemembers but also with his counterparts among the 36 countries in the PACOM area of responsibility.

"I think it's very important how we work with our joint partners along with our international partners and how we exchange with both of them," he said.

The 26-year veteran led the first senior enlisted delegation to the People's Republic of China in 2008, which resulted in a reciprocal visit to Hawaii later that same year.
Chief Roy's prior assignments include serving as the command chief master sergeant at wings in Air Education and Training Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command. He also deployed as the command chief master sergeant of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. He also served as the command chief master sergeant for U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan.