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[Page S7152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MARCUS T. OATS
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and honor
CMSgt Marcus Oats for his recent promotion to Chief Master Sergeant in
the U.S. Air Force and upon the completion of his Air Force fellowship
with my office.
Selection for chief master sergeant is extremely competitive, as only
1 percent of the Air Force's entire enlisted population may hold the
pay grade of E-9 at any time. Chief Oats clearly epitomizes the finest
qualities of a military leader, as evidenced by his distinguished
career and elevation to the highest enlisted level of leadership within
the Air Force. Chief Master Sergeant Oats entered the U.S. Air Force on
September 4, 1996, as a services specialist and was later selected for
retraining into the field of acquisition. Chief Oats' honorable service
has spanned numerous overseas and stateside assignments including
Southwest Asia, four States, and the Nation's Capital. He has also
completed several deployments in support of Operations Allied Force,
Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Chief Oats currently serves as
the senior enlisted advisor in the Office of the Secretary of the Air
Force's Legislative Liaison Directorate. Chief Master Sergeant Oats has
chosen to repeatedly lead his airmen by example.
Despite years of challenging work schedules and countless military
obligations, Chief Oats elected to make his education a priority. Since
2011, he has earned two associate's degrees, a bachelor's degree, a
master's degree, and a graduate-level certificate.
Furthermore, Chief Oats' outstanding performance has garnered
numerous accolades, including the 386th Expeditionary Wing Lance P.
Sijan Leadership Award, two time 7th Bomb Wing Senior Noncommissioned
Officer of the Year Award, and the Air Force Central Command Senior
Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award. As a true testament to Chief
Master Sergeant Oats' exceptional career, he was selected to represent
the U.S. Air Force on Capitol Hill as its enlisted legislative fellow
in 2019. I was fortunate to have Chief Oats spend the year in my office
as an integral part of Team Murkowski and was pleased with his
professionalism, character, and devotion to duty.
Chief Oats joined my office in January of this year while serving as
my defense fellow on behalf of the U.S. Air Force Legislative
Fellowship Program. As the defense fellow, Chief Oats drafted
legislation, prepared floor debate materials, planned and analyzed
public policy, and served as a congressional liaison between Alaskans
and industry or government representatives. Chief Oats is the first
enlisted contracting airman selected for this position and is one of
only two enlisted Active-Duty Air Force fellows currently serving in
this capacity. Chief Oats is a Memphis resident and an alumnus of
Overton High School. He holds a bachelor of science in computer
information systems and management, as well as a master's in business
administration.
Chief Oats served as an integral member of our defense team, and I
relied on his advice in support of Alaskans and all Americans. His
tireless efforts were critical to the passage of the Merchant Mariners
of World War II Congressional Gold Medal. This bill is to award a
Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Merchant Mariners of World War II
in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World War
II--service which proved instrumental in securing victory for the
Allied powers. Moreover, Chief Oats led a bipartisan effort to
introduce the sixth Defense Department Regional Securities Study
Center, named after the late Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The centers
aim to support defense strategy objectives and policy priorities
through a unique academic forum and to foster strong international
networks of security leaders. He also helped secure several wins for
Alaska in the Defense appropriations bill.
Chief Oats continued the extraordinary lineage of military fellows I
have had the honor of working in my office, serving as a member of my
team. He was also the first enlisted contracting fellow in Congress. It
has been a great privilege to work with and get to know Chief Oats over
the past 11 months. I know that my entire team will agree when I say
Chief Oats will always be part of the Murkowski family.
As I thank Chief Oats for his service, I also thank his wonderful
family who has remained by his side for his 23-year Air Force career.
Chief Oats is married to Cecilia Oats. They have three children, Kayla,
Mya, and Myles.
On behalf of the U.S. Congress and a thankful Nation, I want to
express our gratitude to CMSgt Marcus T. Oats for his dedicated service
to the U.S. Senate and to all Alaskans. We applaud Chief Oats on his
recent promotion to chief master sergeant, the highest general enlisted
rank of the Air Force, and hope the best for him in his next role of
Legislative Advisor to the Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force.
Just as I have greatly benefited from Chief Oats' leadership and
advice, I have no doubt that the U.S Air Force will also reap the
benefits from this true American. Thank you for everything Marcus.
____________________
