JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- While most people spend
Father’s Day enjoying quality time with family, 16 top enlisted Airmen from
the 433rd Airlift Wing, along with several other Air Force Reserve and Guard
units, opted to spend this year’s celebration in the classroom, attending the
Senior NCO Leadership Course June 18-19 at the 433rd Force Support Squadron.
The Senior NCO Leadership
Course is a two-day course, hosted by the 433rd FSS, provides senior
NCOs the opportunity to explore in depth communication, trust, teamwork and
current Air Force Reserve Command leadership issues and initiatives.
“I know it’s tough to
be here on a holiday weekend, but you chose to be here for a good reason,” said
Chief Master Sgt. Brian Pinksy, 433rd AW
command chief, as he welcomed the attendees. “Take this time to absorb the material and look at how it
applies to you, reflect on your leadership skills, and look at ways in which you can improve. Also, be sure to network.
This is the perfect opportunity to make valuable connections.”
According to the course facilitator, Master Sgt. Rob Rock,
the senior NCO-level course provides Airmen in the top enlisted tier a format
to experience and explore their various leadership styles with a group of their
peers. Members took part in a series of interactive activities and situations
to provide self-introspection regarding mentoring, managing and motivating
others.
“This course allows members to discover their leadership
strengths and opportunities when leading others,” said Rock, who traveled to
San Antonio from his home unit, the 5th Operational Weather Flight, Shaw Air
Force Base, South Carolina. “That has a reverberating impact throughout the
chain of command in any organization.”
Rock, who has facilitated the course four times before this one, said the curriculum which consists of 11 modules, each with its own focus and activities emphasizing facets of
bolstering trust, teamwork and communication.
During the two days, the senior NCOs were able to make valuable connections
through the various exercises within each module.
“I’m very pleased that
I participated in this course,” said Master Sgt. Deyanira Apolinar, 433rd Civil
Engineer Squadron unit training manager. “I had many ‘a-ha’ moments throughout it.
It’s vital for leaders to build
relationships with their people, so they can have strong communication and
build trust for all in order to be
successful.”
“Each topic discussed had purposeful group activity that
made each of us reflect on, what type of leader we are and how teamwork is so crucial to establish,” she
continued. “I realized I have strengths and weaknesses that I need to continue
to build on or work on to be an effective, well-rounded leader.”
Apolinar noted that another benefit to the course was the
ability to network with fellow senior NCOs. “I really enjoyed
working with different people from different career fields and units,” she
said. “It opened my eyes to how everyone plays
a vital role in the Air Force. We are all important
to the mission. Each person is a small puzzle piece that fits in with the big
picture of our Air Force.”
The curriculum for the Senior NCO Leadership Course is
developed and managed at the Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters Manpower
and Personnel section.
For more information regarding the Senior NCO Leadership
Course, or to sign up for the next one, contact the 433rd FSS training section
at (210) 925-1339.