Kodi Bailey is a retired Chief Master Sergeant who served honorably for 24 years. Throughout his career, Chief Bailey led with compassion, discipline, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of Airmen.

As the author of Letters to Airmen: Lessons on Growth, Resilience, and Service In The Airman Tier, Kodi draws from decades of lived experience to guide new Airmen through the challenges and triumphs of military life. His voice is grounded in humility, shaped by adversity, and inspired by the letters, stories, and lessons passed between wingmen.

Today, Kodi continues his commitment to community and leadership as an entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and mentor. He is the founder of the Letters to Airmen series and the driving force behind Equiliberty INC, a fintech company focused on empowering under-capitalized communities through technology, financial literacy, and access to opportunity.

When he’s not writing, speaking, or leading, Chief Bailey cherishes time with his wife Sabrina, and their children and proudly cheers on each Airman who chooses to fly with purpose.

Chief Master Sergeant Gerardo J. Ventura is dual hatted as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters Seventh Air Force and the Force Protection Division, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Chief Ventura advises the Seventh Air Force Chief of Staff, Directors, and over 200 United States and Republic of Korea personnel on the best use of human resources to meet mission requirements to ensure a unified presentation to the Commander, Combined Air Component Command.

Chief Ventura grew up in South Gate, CA. He entered the Air Force in January 1999. He graduated from the Security Forces apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in May 1999. His background includes various duties within the Security Forces career field at the unit, Major Command (MAJCOM), and Field Operating Agency levels. His previous assignments include bases in Wyoming, California, Illinois, and New Mexico. Chief Ventura also served overseas in Japan and Guam and has deployed to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Africa in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and East Africa’s Command missions.

Chief Master Sergeant Felipe E. Perez is the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 844th Communications Group at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He advises the Commander on cyber operations and leads 970 personnel supporting 32,000 users across 84 units, 6 wings, and 3 joint bases. He oversees $250 million in systems and circuits, supports global command and control for senior U.S. leaders, and manages executive agent duties for the $517 million NMCC cyber and nuclear communication infrastructure. Chief Perez enlisted in the Air Force in 1996 as an Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, loading F-16 Falcons and B-1B Lancers. In 2000, he cross-trained into the Communications-Computer Systems Operations career field and has since held various Comm/IT/Cyber roles at the base, Wing, MAJCOM, and Air Operations Center levels. He is married to Colonel Christina P. Perez of Kodiak, Alaska. They have one daughter, Isabela.