AFSA
  • Home
  • About Us
    • AFSA MEMBER LOGIN
    • Board of Directors
    • Uniformed Services Committee
    • Past Presidents
    • Past Auxiliary Presidents
    • Executive Directors/CEOs
    • Chapters/Divisions
    • Headquarters Staff
    • Scholarships - Apply Support
    • DONATE to AFSA >
      • AFSA Donors & Mission Partners
      • AMB Benefactor Tree
    • Advertise & Sponsor AFSA
    • Contact Us >
      • General Inquiries
      • Technical Issues
      • Website Content
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Leaders Mentor Leaders
    • WE GOT YOUR BACK
    • Chapter Corner >
      • Professional Development
      • AFSA Apparel
      • Set It Forever AutoPay Membership
      • CAMPAIGNS >
        • Leaders Mentor Leaders
        • AutoRenew
        • Deployed
        • Family Matters
      • Communications & Marketing Materials
  • NEWS
    • Important Dates
    • Veteran Affairs News
    • TRICARE Information
    • Subscribe to AFSA Magazine
    • AFSA Magazine >
      • AFSA SPRING 2025
      • AFSA Winter 2025
      • AFSA Fall 2024
      • AFSA Summer 2024
      • AFSA Spring 2024
      • AFSA CMSAF Special Edition
      • AFSA Winter 2024
      • AFSA Fall 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA SPECIAL EDITION 8-1-23
      • AFSA Spring 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Winter 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Fall 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Spring 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 21-2022
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2020
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2020
      • AFSA Fall Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Summer Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Spring Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2018
    • AFSA PUBLICATIONS >
      • AFSAGivesBack
    • PODCAST - AFSAPEDS22
    • Videos
  • LEGISLATION
    • Legislative Platform
    • Action Center
    • Key Accomplishments
    • Resources Archives
  • Member Benefits
    • Shop AFSA
    • AFSA Insurance
    • USAA - Auto and Banking
    • MilitaryKidsColor
    • Vietnam Veterans Commemoration
    • Homes for Heroes
    • Membership Information
    • Apply for Scholarships
    • EdConnect >
      • EDCONNECT AFRC
      • EDCONNECT Guard Reserve
    • Preferred Learning Partners
    • JROTC and CAP Awards
    • Clear2Connect
    • Military Family Resources
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Disabled Vet Student Loan Help
    • Transition Support and Services >
      • eMentor Programs
      • National Labor Exchange
      • Veterans Job Support
      • Colorado Technical University
      • Oklahoma State University Entrepreneur Programs
    • Debt Destroyer Program
    • Financial Literacy
    • K9s for Warriors
  • AFSA SUMMIT 25
    • AFSA SUMMIT 24
    • AFSA SUMMIT 23
    • USF Charity Golf 2023
    • CONVENTION 22
    • AFSAPEDS21 >
      • AFSAPEDS21 Schedule
    • AFSAPAC2020
    • AFSAPAC19
    • 2018 Professional Development Conference >
      • PAC18 Membership Contest
    • 2017 AFSA Convention >
      • 2017 PAC Award Winners
    • 2016 AFSA Convention >
      • 2016 PAC Award Winners
    • 2015 PAC Award Winners
  • Members LogIn

Ninth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker passes away

3/21/2015

Comments

 
By Shane S. Karp | Air Force Sergeants Association

Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker, the ninth CMSAF, died March 21st at the age of 76.  The well-loved and admired chief was an active member and supporter of AFSA, and his regular attendance at the annual AFSA Professional Airmen’s Conference was a highlight of the event each year.   

Chief Binnicker served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from July 1, 1986 through July 31, 1990.  His work to implement the Enlisted Performance Report was a crucial element of his time as CMSAF.  The EPR essentially reinvented the way Airmen were evaluated.

That is not all Chief  Binnicker accomplished during his four-year stint as the highest enlisted Air Force member. Binnicker also was the first to make it possible for master sergeants to be admitted into the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and continued to be a champion for all Airmen by encouraging the growth and advancement of all ranks.

In 1956, a young Jim Binnicker was named Cadet of the Year in the Civil Air Patrol at the age of 18, an honor which earned him a scholarship to attend flight school.

Shortly thereafter, his dreams of becoming a pilot were ended, when in 1957 doctors detected a high-frequency hearing loss in his right ear, a flaw which disqualified him from partaking in the Air Force’s aviation cadet program. 

“I was disappointed and didn’t want to go back home,” the Chief said, “so I told the recruiter that I wanted to join the Air Force.”

He enlisted in August of 1957 in the life support career field, an opportunity which put him on the flight line, working on the B-52 Stratofortress and the KC-135 Stratotanker.

Among his many awards and decorations, Binnicker earned the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal – as well as the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award and the Vietnam Campaign Medal for his time spent in theater during the Vietnam War.

During his time as CMSAF, Chief Binnicker served as an advisor to retired Gen. Larry D. Welch, 12th chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force.

“What I remember Chief Binnicker for is that I knew if there was a significant issue involving the enlisted force, …Chief Binnicker would be in my office to tell me about it,” said the General in “Generations of Chevrons.”  “He was a marvelous spokesman for the needs of the enlisted force, and a marvelous spokesman for the NCO corps.”

After his career in the Air Force, the Chief continued serving Airmen and their families. In 1992, he joined the Board of Directors for the Air Force Enlisted Village. In 2000, he became the president and CEO.

The Air Force Enlisted Village is a non-profit charity which was founded in 1967 as housing for Air Force widows and widowers. Since then, the village has evolved into a more inclusive housing option for other dependents of the Air Force family.

"It's not just a retirement home for widows," said Chief Binnicker during a speaking engagement in 2012. "It is a community. It's an extension of the Air Force family, and we are very proud to provide that."

The Chief was recognized by so many as a leader, mentor, friend, and one who dedicated his life to others.  During a speech to Congress in recognition of the Chief in 2008, U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller said, “Mr. Binnicker has dedicated his life to helping those in need, we will be eternally grateful for his service … I am proud to honor one of America's true heroes, James C. Binnicker, for his leadership and service to Northwest Florida and throughout the world.”

When previously asked how he would like to be remembered, Chief Binnicker said, “That I did my best. I would hope most people would say the same thing… and that’s all you can do. That’s all the country can ask of you…that you do your best. That’s how I’d like to be remembered.”

Comments

    AFSA Blog

    The AFSA Blog hosts a variety of writers from the HQ Staff, Executive Council, and our members.  To be have material considered, send draft to [email protected].

Apply for Scholarships

AIRMEN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION: Apply for Scholarships
Join to receive a free One-Course Scholarship from CSU

Read Breaking News from the Veterans Administration

Take Action

 Search for AFSA Chapter Nearest You 
​
Visit the Legislation Action Center

​Contact Your Elected Officials
Advertise with AFSA

Be Informed

Read the AFSA Magazine
Subscribe to the AFSA E-Newsletter
Subscribe to the Weekly Military & Government Brief

AFSA APPAREL - ONLINE STORE

GET CONNECTED - Visit our Social Media Outlets and Subscribe to AFSA Information

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE AFSA INFORMATION NOW!

  • Home
  • About Us
    • AFSA MEMBER LOGIN
    • Board of Directors
    • Uniformed Services Committee
    • Past Presidents
    • Past Auxiliary Presidents
    • Executive Directors/CEOs
    • Chapters/Divisions
    • Headquarters Staff
    • Scholarships - Apply Support
    • DONATE to AFSA >
      • AFSA Donors & Mission Partners
      • AMB Benefactor Tree
    • Advertise & Sponsor AFSA
    • Contact Us >
      • General Inquiries
      • Technical Issues
      • Website Content
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Leaders Mentor Leaders
    • WE GOT YOUR BACK
    • Chapter Corner >
      • Professional Development
      • AFSA Apparel
      • Set It Forever AutoPay Membership
      • CAMPAIGNS >
        • Leaders Mentor Leaders
        • AutoRenew
        • Deployed
        • Family Matters
      • Communications & Marketing Materials
  • NEWS
    • Important Dates
    • Veteran Affairs News
    • TRICARE Information
    • Subscribe to AFSA Magazine
    • AFSA Magazine >
      • AFSA SPRING 2025
      • AFSA Winter 2025
      • AFSA Fall 2024
      • AFSA Summer 2024
      • AFSA Spring 2024
      • AFSA CMSAF Special Edition
      • AFSA Winter 2024
      • AFSA Fall 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA SPECIAL EDITION 8-1-23
      • AFSA Spring 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Winter 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Fall 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Spring 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 21-2022
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2020
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2020
      • AFSA Fall Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Summer Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Spring Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2018
    • AFSA PUBLICATIONS >
      • AFSAGivesBack
    • PODCAST - AFSAPEDS22
    • Videos
  • LEGISLATION
    • Legislative Platform
    • Action Center
    • Key Accomplishments
    • Resources Archives
  • Member Benefits
    • Shop AFSA
    • AFSA Insurance
    • USAA - Auto and Banking
    • MilitaryKidsColor
    • Vietnam Veterans Commemoration
    • Homes for Heroes
    • Membership Information
    • Apply for Scholarships
    • EdConnect >
      • EDCONNECT AFRC
      • EDCONNECT Guard Reserve
    • Preferred Learning Partners
    • JROTC and CAP Awards
    • Clear2Connect
    • Military Family Resources
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Disabled Vet Student Loan Help
    • Transition Support and Services >
      • eMentor Programs
      • National Labor Exchange
      • Veterans Job Support
      • Colorado Technical University
      • Oklahoma State University Entrepreneur Programs
    • Debt Destroyer Program
    • Financial Literacy
    • K9s for Warriors
  • AFSA SUMMIT 25
    • AFSA SUMMIT 24
    • AFSA SUMMIT 23
    • USF Charity Golf 2023
    • CONVENTION 22
    • AFSAPEDS21 >
      • AFSAPEDS21 Schedule
    • AFSAPAC2020
    • AFSAPAC19
    • 2018 Professional Development Conference >
      • PAC18 Membership Contest
    • 2017 AFSA Convention >
      • 2017 PAC Award Winners
    • 2016 AFSA Convention >
      • 2016 PAC Award Winners
    • 2015 PAC Award Winners
  • Members LogIn