Gerald R. Murray (born January 18, 1956) is a retired airman of the United States Air Force who served as the 14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from 2002 to 2006. Military career Murray grew up in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, and entered the United States Air Force in October 1977. His background includes various duties in aircraft maintenance and as a Command Chief Master Sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. His assignments include bases in Florida, South Carolina, Washington and Georgia. Murray also served overseas in Turkey and Japan, and deployed in support of operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch. Before becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Murray was appointed to the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on July 1, 2002. In this position, he represented the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Murray retired on October 1, 2006, after 29 years of service. Post military career Murray serves as Chairman of the Board of the Air & Space Forces Association. Education 1983 Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Shaw AFB, SC. 1984 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kapaun Air Station, West Germany 1986 Associate in Applied Science degree in aircraft systems maintenance technology, Community College of the Air Force 1987 Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts, Saint Leo College, Saint Leo, Fl. 1993 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter AFB, Al. Assignments October 1977 – December 1977, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas December 1977 – February 1978, student, Aircraft Maintenance Technology Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas February 1978 – October 1981, aircraft crew chief, 13th Fighter Squadron, 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla. October 1981 – April 1984, aircraft maintenance instructor, 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C. April 1984 – May 1986, senior F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief, 39th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey May 1986 – July 1992, aircraft production