[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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.

                          ____________________