Chief Master Sergeant Steven Cum is the Chief, Medical Enlisted Force (CMEF) and Enlisted Corps Chief, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Chief Cum is the personal advisor to the USAF Surgeon General on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progression for the 34,000 Total Force medical enlisted community. As such, he defines, shapes, and executes health care policy in support of 45,000 personnel at 75 medical treatment facilities with a $6.3B budget. He ensures a cost effective, patient-centered and prevention-based healthcare continuum for 2.6M beneficiaries worldwide and fosters strategic partnerships with senior enlisted leaders at DoD/ASD (Health Affairs), Veteran’s Affairs (VA), federal agencies, academia and allied medical services.
Chief Cum entered the Air Force in February 1990 and graduated from Aerospace Medical Apprentice training in June 1990. He received his bachelor’s degree from Trident University. His career includes numerous duties in Aeromedical Service and Special Operations, and includes tours in Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Germany. Additionally, he has deployed multiple times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Horn of Africa, Humanitarian Missions, and other United States Special Operations Command taskings. Prior to his current position, Chief Cum was the Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force for Headquarters Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.
EDUCATION
1990 Technical Training, Aeromedical Specialist, Brooks AFB, Texas
1991 National Registry Emergency Medical Technician, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
1995 Airman Leadership School, Randolph, AFB, Texas
1998 Independent Duty Medical Technician Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
1999 Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Course, University Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Texas
2000 Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Course, Brooks AFB, Texas
2000 Medical Readiness Planners Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2000 Special Operations Medical Skills Sustainment Course, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
2005 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Lackland, Texas
2007 SNCO Academy Course 12, by correspondence
2008 Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program, Las Vegas, Nevada
2008 Flight Paramedic Certification Course, Las Vegas, Nevada
2008 Associate Degree in Allied Health Science, Community College of the Air Force
2009 Senior NCO Academy, Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama
2010 Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, Trident University, Cypress, California, Magna Cum Laude
2010 Afghanistan Air Advisor Course, Fort Dix, New Jersey
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1990 - June 1993, Aeromedical Specialist, 67th Medical Group/12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
2. June 1993 - January 1998, Aeromedical Journeyman, 12th Medical Group, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. January 1998 - September 2003, Special Operations Command Medic, 16th Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
4. September 2003 - September 2009, Flight Chief Aeromedical Operations/Superintendent Medical Group, Data Masked
5. September 2009 - July 2013, Superintendent Operational Medicine/4N0 Functional Manager/ Superintendent Medical Readiness, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida
6. July 2013 - July 2014, 4N Functional Manager, 88th Medical Group and Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
7. July 2014 - September 2016, Chief Medical Enlisted Force, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida
8. September 2016 - September 2017 Chief, Medical Enlisted Force, United States Forces in Europe and United States Forces Africa Office of the Command Surgeon, Headquarters, United States Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
9. September 2017 - Present Chief, Medical Enlisted Force, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Basic Aircrew Member
Flight hours: More than 600 hours
Aircraft flown: MH-53J/M, HH-60, C-130, MC-130/P, BE1900C, BE200C, C-17A, UH1N, C212, C-5, and M-28
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1995 Airman of the Year, 12th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
2000 Honor Graduate, Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Course, Brooks AFB, Texas
2001 NCO of the Year, 16th Operational Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2001 Air Force Special Operations Command Aeromedical Services NCO of the Year, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2001 Mike Hollingsworth Special Operations Medical Association Medic of the Year, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2002 AF Special Operations Command Outstanding Medical Readiness NCO of the Year, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2005 Distinguished Graduate NCO Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
2005 Medical Group NCO of the Year, Data Masked
2005 Wing NCO of the Year, Data Masked
2009 HQ AF Special Operations Command, Surgeon General SNCO of the Year, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2010 HQ AF Special Operations Command, Surgeon General SNCO of the Year, Hurlburt Field, Florida
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic Feb. 5, 1990
Airman Aug. 9, 1990
Airman First Class Jun. 5, 1991
Senior Airman Feb. 5, 1993
Staff Sergeant Jul. 1, 1996
Technical Sergeant Apr. 1, 2002
Master Sergeant Apr. 1, 2006
Senior Master Jan. 1, 2010
Chief Master Sergeant Jul. 1, 2013
(Current as of September 2017)