January 29, 2016
CAPE MAY, N.J. — Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force, attended the graduation ceremony for the Coast Guard's newest enlisted members, Friday.
Welsh was in attendance to present his nephew, Seaman Patrick Knuth, with his graduation certificate.
As Chief of Staff, Welsh serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.
The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, hands Seaman Patrick Knuth a graduation certificate, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J. Knuth is Welsh's nephew and successfully graduated from eight weeks of basic training as a member of Coast Guard recruit company Hotel 192. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards)