I’m excited to welcome JoAnne Bass on Woman of the Military podcast. She recently retired from the Air Force and was the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force. She is the first woman to hold the position and has worked to improve the lives of Airmen. In this interview we will discuss her time in the Air Force how her career field set her up for success, balancing military and family life, and advice for the next generation.

A conversation with JoAnne Bass

Jo decided to join the military because of her dad. He served in the Army and often said, “Four years in the military never hurt anyone.” After initially applying for college and attending she felt she wasn’t quite ready for college and decided to join the military. She chose the Air Force because she saw her dad getting up early to workout and wanted something different.

Basic Training

Besides Basic Training being hard she recalled how it brought together people from different life experiences and parts of the country to make a team. They came together to get through the hard challenge of training and working with others stayed with her throughout the career.

September 11th

Jo was living in Germany with her husband stationed about an hour away. They also had a daughter who was about 1 years old when September 11th happened. She recalled how everything changed. Working crazy hours and the world changing. She discussed how her husband and her found a way to care for their daughter and meet the hours required for their miltiary service. But they didn’t do it alone. They had to ask for help from their community and what they found was people were willing to step up and help.

Becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

Before Jo put her name in the hat to be the next Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force she was considering what life would look like post military. There was a possibility there wouldn’t be a job and she was ready for the next phase if that was what the Air Force decided. But the call for a new Chief Master Sergeant came up and she asked her family what they thought. She knew it would a sacrifice for everyone and wanted to make sure they were all in. Her family encouraged her to apply and she was surprised when Gen Brown called her and told her she got the job.

Advice

She has three pictures to help her remember why she is doing the work she does. She reminded listeners to remember where they came from, remember their why, and remember where they want to go.