First sergeant: rich heritage, rewarding career.

Remarks at the First Sergeant Academy graduation, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., July 1, 2005

Thank you for the opportunity to come and speak to you on this truly significant milestone in your life and in your Air Force career.

First and foremost, let me congratulate each of you on this worthy accomplishment.

Not only are you serving our nation and protecting the freedoms we hold so dear, you are now headed to the front lines of taking care of our Airmen.

You are the link every Airmen looks for when things go right, and when things go wrong. At some point you will probably feel you are the "world's wingman."

To say you're the "glue" of your organization would be an understatement ... I'd say you're the "cement"..... securing the sheer foundation of your unit.

Each of you should take great pride in the hard work, dedication and sacrifice, by both you and your families, to reach this opportunity. You have what it takes to successfully lead our enlisted corps.

Let me make special note of your families, those here tonight and those at home. Our families are the fabric that holds our Air Force together, and you wouldn't be here without your loved-ones support. I know I wouldn't be the CMSAF today if not for my wife Sherry, our children and our parents.

We thank those family members with us tonight, and those supporting from home, for what they do everyday for our Air Force. Together, we make an unstoppable team, ready to meet any challenge head on.

As Air Force Airmen, we're serving in a demanding, yet rewarding time.

* We continue fighting terrorism and helping others in their fight for freedom.

* We remain engaged in an array of missions across the globe.

* We're patrolling the nation's sky in Operation Noble Eagle

* We continue to maintain vigilance on the Korean peninsula

* Throughout the Middle East, our Airmen serve courageously, many in direct conflict, side-by-side with their sister service members

We have nearly 30,000 Airmen deployed worldwide; more than 20,000 of them are enabling the spread of democracy in operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Almost 400 first sergeants are expected serve a deployed tour this year to ensure our Airmen are taken care of no matter where they are.

And for those remaining at home station, bridging the gap for families of those deployed is a vital mission. The operations tempo isn't slowing down anytime soon and the stresses our Airmen face today require your utmost attention.

It's an understatement to say we are stretched, but at the same time, we are doing an incredible and impressive job.

This is due to the tremendous leaders and dedicated men and women we have in our Air Force today.

As first sergeants you join the heritage of great enlisted leaders serving since the days of General George Washington.

With this title comes enormous responsibility. Our core values, integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do, is your foundation. There must be no question of the example you set for your Airmen.

Those who have served before you have carved out the roles and responsibilities that you will fill today. They earned the respect of those they led and the confidence of those they followed.

We have more than 367,000 active-duty Airmen, just over 92,000 Air National Guard members and nearly 58,600 Air Force reservist. Counting our civilian Airmen, we are nearly 700,000 strong.

The Total Force first sergeant corps is 2,700--are you getting the idea that you're going to be busy?

Commanders will count on you to maintain good order and discipline, enforce standards, and most of all, to take care of our Airmen. Your opportunities are boundless, yet the challenges are real.

The war on terrorism continues and the enemies we face today are cunning and unpredictable. We as a force have to be ready for the unexpected--we have to be combat ready, no matter what our traditional specialty.

You will need to continually help us carry that message until every man and woman donning an Air Force uniform understands they are "expeditionary Airmen."

I won't promise your job as a first sergeant will be easy, but I can tell you it will be rewarding.

We are all tremendously proud of you and the journey you're beginning, the expectations are high--they have to be. But I'm confident you will rise to any challenge.

May god bless each of you as you embark on this voyage. Thank you for your continued service to our great nation and again for asking me to share in this special night.

CMSAF Gerald R. Murray