Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Grisham poses with 3D-printed models of C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in May 2022. (Emma Quirk/U.S. Air Force)
A “playful” online petition urging the Air Force to name Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Grisham as its next top enlisted leader was intended as a tribute to the airman, not a critique of the incumbent, according to the petition’s organizer.
The entreaty, launched Saturday on Change.org, calls for Grisham to be appointed as the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force, a position now held by David Flosi.
“CMSgt Jeremiah Grisham is a trailblazing Airman who truly embodies the Air Force core values and Warrior Ethos,” the petition states. “His leadership style is not just about conforming to Air Force Instructions; it’s about inspiring others to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
As of Wednesday, the petition had garnered more than 450 signatures, despite the fact that the Air Force does not select senior enlisted leaders through public campaigns.
Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff, appointed Flosi to the post in December 2023. The role serves as the highest-ranking noncomissioned officer and principal adviser to the chief of staff and the Air Force secretary.
A link to the petition appeared twice this week on the unofficial Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco, generating nearly 250 comments and 880 likes. While some commenters praised Grisham, many others used the thread to criticize Flosi and his predecessor, JoAnne Bass.
That wasn’t the goal of the petition, said Master Sgt. Jason Umlauf, who serves as the explosive ordnance disposal logistics section for the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
Umlauf, who spoke to Stars and Stripes by Messenger on Monday, said he created the petition “as a way to playfully poke at [Grisham] again, not to undermine CMSAF Flosi or the process by which CMSAF is chosen.”
Umlauf said the idea originated months ago during a conversation with Grisham, also an EOD specialist, when he jokingly suggested Grisham would be a great fit for the service’s top enlisted post.
“He’s genuine in everything that he does and truly cares about everyone around him,” Umlauf said.
Grisham dismissed the notion, saying in an email Monday that he plans to retire next year.
“I have every confidence in my beloved Air Force to pick the ACTUAL right next CMSAF when our current one decides it’s time to hang up his boots,” he wrote. “Until then, CMSAF Flosi will keep killing it, I’m certain of that!”
