KADNEA AIR BASE, Japan -- Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with members of Team Kadena about leadership, jobs and how they form integral parts of the military.

“Thirty-four years the Army has kept me around, McDonalds didn’t even keep me around for more than 30 days,” said Troxell. The audience laughs along as Troxell acknowledges concerns, supplies information and tells the occasional joke inside the Kadena base theater on Aug. 29, 2016.

Troxell visited Kadena and several other bases in order to communicate with the enlisted force about future changes, current issues and to answer questions.

“I get the pulse of the force for the chairman,” said Troxell. “That involves going out and visiting our combatant commands, checking on the troops, readiness and training – so I can be the voice of the enlisted force in key meetings and working groups.”

Troxell visited the 33rd Rescue Squadron and the 67th Fighter Squadron as part of his visit to Kadena, learning about Airmen and their leadership.

“Even as our force structure comes down we still have competitive advantages, our greatest being what we do to train and educate our forces,” said Troxell. “It’s about developing the leaders that can execute operations in a joint environment and be ready any time we need them.”

During his tour, Troxell spoke with Airmen and Soldiers stationed on Kadena about their places and how they form integral parts of the mission to deter, deny and defeat potential adversaries.

“It inspires me whenever I go out to see Airmen who are knowledgeable about their jobs. Our Airmen are always ready to go no matter what. It’s only possible due to their commitment to their teams, the Air Force and the United States,” said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Hoffman, 18th Wing command chief.

Hoffman and Troxell discussed the importance of Okinawa, teamwork, mission readiness and several other topics throughout the day.

“We want men and women to be proud of what they joined the military to be – Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine – but let there be no doubt that when we go into conflict, we go as a team,” Troxell said. “We enlist a service member, but we re-enlist a family member.”