Bass Becomes First Woman, Asian American to Serve as CMSAF
By Brian W. Everstine
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass took over as the 19th senior enlisted
leader of the service on Aug. 14, marking a period of change and promising more diversity and
inclusion in the ranks. Bass' appointment makes the Air Force the first military service to have
both a woman and an Asian American in the senior enlisted role, shortly after Chief of Staff Gen.
Charles Q. Brown Jr. became the first Black officer to lead a branch of the Armed Forces. “This is
a historic moment for you,” Bass said to Airmen of all ranks watching the ceremony at Joint
Base Andrews, Md. “I encourage you to stay passionate, determined, purposeful, and keep
running your race. And together we will continue to make meaningful and lasting history as our
force charts and navigates new domains.”
