ABBIE BENNETT JUNE 19, 2020 – 3:09 PM connectingvets.radio.com
In a first for the U.S. military, the Air Force has chosen a woman as its top enlisted leader. Chief Master Sgt. Joanne S. Bass is set to become the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the service announced Friday.
Bass is the first woman ever chosen to serve as the highest-ranking noncommissioned member of any U.S. service branch. She will serve as the public face of more than 410,000 Air Force enlisted troops and a personal advisor to the chief of staff and Department of the Air Force Secretary.
“I could not be more excited to work side-by-side with Chief Bass,” said incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, who is set to become the 22nd Chief of Staff in August. “She has unique skills that will help us both lead the total force and live up to the high expectations of our airmen. She is a proven leader who has performed with distinction at every step of her accomplished career. I have no doubt that Chief Bass will provide wise counsel as we pursue and implement initiatives to develop and empower airmen at all levels.”
Bass emerged as the “consensus choice” from more than 12 finalists from across the force, the service announced.
“I’m honored and humbled to be selected as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and follow in the footsteps of some of the best leaders our Air Force has ever known,” she said. “The history of the moment isn’t lost on me; I’m just ready to get after it. And I’m extremely grateful for and proud of my family and friends who helped me along the way.”
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CMSAF 19 is Chief JoAnne Bass! Gen Brown knocked it out of the park with this selection – Proud moment in history, Great to be an Airman! pic.twitter.com/3MPRYKn5g8
— JoAnne S. Bass (@cmsaf_official) June 19, 2020
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.
