TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - --
There is no substitute for experience, and one former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is determined to help spread his experiences to Airmen.
Retired CMSAF number five Robert Gaylor visited Tyndall Sept. 5 to speak about his life in the Air Force and how to make it better for today's Airmen better.
"I am positive that, of all of the briefings I will attend in my career, Chief Gaylor's will have been the most captivating and truly memorable," said Senior Airman Sarah Webb, 325th Communications Squadron knowledge management technician.
Gaylor joined the Air Force in 1948 as a security police officer. He retired in 1979 after holding the ultimate noncommissioned officer position.
Even after his retirement, Gaylor has traveled around the world speaking to Airmen.
Gaylor spoke of how much the Air Force has changed since his enlistment and why. The main reasons he contributed to the change were the four T's; training, technology, tribe and trust. Tribe, he said, represents family.
"Thank you for serving in our great Air Force; thank you for all that you do," said Gaylor. "Thank you for giving me the chance to share some thoughts with you."
He visited Tyndall to speak at the Senior NCO induction ceremony Sept. 5, but spent much of the day traveling around base to speak to as many people as he could, including an enlisted call in the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group auditorium.
"I think I speak for everyone who attended Chief Gaylor's all-call when I say 'I don't think a single person left that auditorium unchanged,'" said Webb. "He offered truly inspirational advice from more than just one standpoint. He grew us as Airmen, spouses, wingmen and colleagues in just one short hour and with plenty of humor."
During his visit, Gaylor spoke with many Airmen. He attended a breakfast with Airmen, lunch with NCOs, a wing briefing and a meeting with chiefs. After his time here, Gaylor traveled to Joint Base Charleston, S.C.