Article Display

Senior NCOs undergo weekend crash course in leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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.