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ACC Command Chief underlines readiness during Tyndall visit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Chief Master Sgt. Richard A. Parsons, Air Combat Command command chief, spoke to Tyndall Airmen about the importance of readiness and future Air Force changes during a visit Nov. 5 at the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group auditorium.

Chief Parsons opened the speech with his main focus, which is the necessity of getting back to an emphasis on readiness for the future of the Air Force.

"It is all about readiness," Chief Parsons said. "Our priority is to make sure that Airmen are trained, equipped and ready to go fight and win our wars and give you the best chance to come home alive. We have to maintain the aircrafts and the capabilities to train to do that, and we have not focused on that the way we should have."

He also spoke on possible upcoming changes to the Enlisted Performance Reports, with the goal being to eliminate rate inflation and reduce the burden on the rater, the writer and the process of coordinating the EPR.

Chief Parsons answered questions regarding computer based training, master sergeant promotion boards and developmental special duty before wrapping up with talking about problems he has dealt with in his life and how Airmen need hope in these difficult times.

"His words were inspirational, knowing that some of some of the hardships he faced as a young airmen could or currently be affecting some of us," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Hartsfield, 325th Communications Squadron enterprise information management technician. "It is nice that our ACC leadership takes time out of their busy schedule to talk to Tyndall's Airmen."

The common theme the command chief stressed throughout his speech was gratitude toward the Airmen.

"On behalf of me, General Hostage, the staff, and America, thank you for your service and thank you for what you do every day," said the command chief. "Be very proud of what you do every day and understand that it's more than a job. It's a calling."