A tribute to a leader.

It is my honor and privilege to stand before you this evening and characterize the leadership of Secretary Roche. The thoughts that come to my mind are those that speak of the great compassion and care he has for our airmen throughout the world.

It is a common sight to see the Secretary surrounded by airmen at a base or venue, asking them how they are, what concerns they have, and what can be done better.

His sincerity is backed up with action; the airmen know that when he asks, he also listens, and when it's warranted, he acts to make changes that will make their lives better, and help them do the mission more efficiently

The enlisted force embraces his leadership because it is obvious that it is driven by incomparable executive skill and knowledge, but always tempered with common sense.

That combination gives him the incredible ability to stay intensely focused on the operation, sustainment and modernization of our Air Force, while at the same time caring deeply about the men and women who fill its ranks.

He has added great measure to the quality of service and quality of life of our enlisted force. Let me list just a few of the many improvements in our force today that directly stem from Secretary Roche's leadership:

The Secretary gave us vision by defining three relevant and clear core competencies as our foundation: Technology to Warfighting, Integrating Operations, and Developing Airmen;

* Our pool of airmen to support expeditionary operations is larger, spreading the wealth to the masses to ease the strain on the few;

* Modified physician promotions gave us improved delivery of health care to airmen and their families;

* Many obstacles to retention and professional development are gone by his repeal of antiquated personnel practices;

* His adoption of the force development construct is expanding the professional education and training of officers, enlisted and civilians across the Air Force;

* He swung open the doors of Air Force Institute of Technology to senior NCOs;

* We now have a portion of officer and senior enlisted PME combined to improve the followership, leadership and mentoring between our company grade officers and senior NCOs;

* His agreement with the U. S. Army to gain the support of over 8,000 Army Guardsmen to backfill critical security requirements allowed us to release augmentees back to their primary duties while buying the time we need to build up our Security Forces

* Our airmen have 100 percent tuition assistance, and are using it in droves; enrollments have increased by 46 percent--35 percent are new TA users

* Our First Sergeants now serve a three-year special-duty assignment, with the option to extend for another three-year assignment;

* Airmen serving in most enlisted ranks can now serve an additional two years on active duty thanks to a change in High Year of Tenure

* Our junior airmen will see a new dormitory standard that will give them more living space, a common living area, complete with a kitchen and living room, with private bedrooms and their own bathrooms, and washers and dryers in their rooms to share with only three others

The Secretary's belief in the great value of enlisted leadership is evidenced through the expanded role of enlisted leadership at Air Force Academy to improve training and character development of future officers.

The results of his leadership are too many to list--Secretary Roche has touched airmen of every rank, incredibly, while he also focused on modernization issues that require his time and attention: pursuing an innovative tanker lease, keeping the F/A-22 program on track, restructuring Spaced-based Infrared Systems, and balancing short-term readiness needs with long-term transformation

For the airmen on the flightline, those patrolling the perimeter, in the command posts, the dining halls, the fuel cells and the offices--from all of our airmen around the world doing the critical work of our nation's defense--active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard; thank you Secretary Roche for the leadership that has inspired us, challenged us and endeared you to our hearts.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray 

Remarks at the Order of the Sword Induction Ceremony, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sept. 13, 2003