8th CMSAF visits Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 8th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, Sam Parish, visited Malmstrom Air Force Base Feb. 21 to 23 to meet with Airmen, tour the base and speak to organizations about his experiences in the Air Force.

"In all my years of service - I enjoyed everything," Parish said. "I stayed in touch with the Air Force after I retired in 1986 and until last year, I hadn't been apart from the Air Force for more than 48 hours since I joined. I attribute everything in my life to the Air Force."

During an enlisted all-call, his primary focus was the necessity of discipline, the importance of all careers in the Air Force and having a wingman.

"Every job [in the U.S. Air Force] is important," Parish said. "Although some Airmen have been in the same job at the same base for more than 15 years, nothing in the Department of Defense inventory compares to the nuclear arm of the United States Air Force."

Parish, who joined the Air Force in 1954, spent more than 31 years as an active-duty Airmen in seven Air Force Specialty Codes.

"My life hasn't been a bed of roses," he said. "I've been chewed out by some of the best in the business at every level of command I've been in my entire life. I've been thrown out of every commander's office I've worked with. But one thing I've learned is that discipline is necessary at all levels of the Air Force -for the betterment and development of every individual."

Another thing I want to stress is everyone needs a Wingman," he said. "The last line of the Air Force creed has always stuck with me - 'Never leave an Airman behind.' Everyone needs a mentor; someone they can pour their heart out to who will help them prepare to be better leaders."

During Parish's visit, he dined with Malmstrom's chief master sergeants, professional organization officers, toured the detour and museum. He spoke to several groups, including enlisted Airmen, students at the John Maxwell Leadership 360 class and Airman Leadership School where he spoke to Airmen about his Air Force career, mentorship and professional military education. He wrapped up his tour with Team Malmstrom as the key speaker at the annual awards banquet.

"Having a career in the Air Force was the best thing for me," he said. "It allowed me to present things, to argue and to think on my feet. It saved my life."

Parish held the CMSAF position from August 1983 until his retirement on June 30, 1986.