Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass shares advice with newly inducted senior noncommissioned officers during an Air Force and Space Force SNCO Summit at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026. Bass was the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, representing the Air Force’s highest enlisted level of leadership from August 2020 to March 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Geneva Nguyen)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Thompson Jr., senior enlisted leader for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and 11th Wing command chief, talks to newly inducted senior noncommissioned officers during an Air Force and Space Force SNCO Summit at JBAB, Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026. The summit featured a series of briefings focused on preparing senior enlisted leaders to develop and mentor the next generation of Airmen and Guardians while emphasizing the critical importance of keeping the force informed and ready to address the challenges posed by strategic competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Geneva Nguyen)

Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, left, talks with an Air Force leader during an Air Force and Space Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Summit at JBAB, Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026. The summit featured a series of briefings focused on preparing senior enlisted leaders to develop and mentor the next generation of Airmen and Guardians while emphasizing the critical importance of keeping the force informed and ready to address the challenges posed by strategic competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Geneva Nguyen)

From left, U.S. Air Force Col. James Clark, Col. Elizabeth Blakeman and Col. Karl Seekamp discuss expectations for senior noncommissioned officers during an Air Force and Space Force SNCO Summit at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026. The summit featured a series of briefings focused on preparing senior enlisted leaders to develop and mentor the next generation of Airmen and Guardians while emphasizing the critical importance of keeping the force informed and ready to address the challenges posed by strategic competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Geneva Nguyen)