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Robert Gaylor

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (Ret.) Robert Gaylor was inspired to join the military after seeing service members return from World War II to his hometown of Mulberry, Ind.  His emphasis on, and study of, strong leadership helped him become the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.  During his tenure as CMSAF from 1977 to 1979, he served as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as well as other top Air Force leaders on issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper use and progress of the enlisted force.  


Gaylor joined the Air Force in September 1948 and was assigned to the security police career field.  In 1957 he began what he describes as one of his most challenging tours in his career as a military training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.  In 1962 he returned to the security police career field for a few years until he was selected to attend the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Barksdale AFB, La., in 1965.  After graduation, he was asked to become an academy instructor.  In 1971 he was assigned to Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he traveled to bases throughout the command teaching leadership skills, and started the USAFE Command Management and Leadership Center in 1972.  Gaylor travels around the world, speaking to Airmen on topics such as leadership, management, motivation, professionalism and Airmanship.