Career Focus: Team Kirtland, developing their Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mariana G. Sobolewski
  • Team Kirtland Career Assistance Advisor
Developing Airmen is one of three Air Force priorities. One way Kirtland Airmen can develop themselves and their subordinates is by attending professional enhancement seminars.

Airmen and junior noncommissioned officer enhancement courses are offered quarterly and the senior noncommissioned officer induction seminar is also offered semi-annually. The seminars range from three or four days in course length.

A small group of master sergeants and master sergeant selects gathered last week to hear from other senior noncommissioned officers on new responsibilities that they would embark on.

Master sergeants that were selected for promotion last year either attend the large induction seminar in August or attend the January session. The idea behind the second induction seminar is to give every master sergeant select the opportunity to receive this important professional development and refresh their professional military education before they embark on their newest rank. Tech Sgt. John Galarneau assigned to the 58th Maintenance Squadron was unable to attend the August seminar.

"I am glad that I attended this seminar when I did. My supervisors gave me increased responsibilities immediately after my selection to master sergeant.

This course has reinforced what my leadership as been telling me all along," said Sergeant Galarneau.
The seminar covers a wide range of topics such as leadership, team building, disciplinary process and military writing. These briefings are not given by professional instructors but from Team Kirtland senior noncommissioned officers.

"The information discussed and the dialogue exchanged between this small group of senior noncommissioned officers seems to have been the highlight of the seminar," said Master Sgt. Howard Rhoades, Air Force Operational Testing and Evaluation Center.

Developing Airmen is a necessity in today's Air Force. Airmen must be armed with the most up-to-date information regarding their careers and any future Air Force opportunities available to them or their subordinates.

As supervisors, we must do our part to prepare today's Airmen for future Air Force challenges. In today's shrinking force, it is sometimes difficult for supervisors to release their Airmen from the duty section.
However, the information Airmen will gain by attending these enhancement courses will outweigh the pain the section might feel during this temporary manning loss.

Supervisors, sign your Airmen up for the next junior noncommissioned officer's seminar scheduled for March 4 through March 6, or the next Airman professional enhancement seminar scheduled for April 1 through April 4.

If you would like career assistance or if you desire more information about enlisted professional development classes or benefits, please contact me at 846-6636 or e-mail mariana.sobolewski@kirtland.af.mil.