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Travis hosts command senior NCO leadership course

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Meredith Mingledorff
  • 349th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 349th Air Mobility Wing will host a senior NCO leadership course Sept. 29-30 in the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron's Building 206.

The course will focus on leadership development for 50 senior NCOs from nine wings across Air Force Reserve Command. The students will spend two days on topics such as trust, teamwork, and communication.

"This course reinforces management and leadership skills essential to our force," said Chief Master Sgt. Holly DiDomenico, chief of training for the 349th AMW. "We want our students to be surprised and delighted about what is in store for them, and I think they will be pleasantly surprised."

"I think this is a great resource and is particularly important for those who cannot attend the (Air Force) Senior NCO Academy in-residence," said Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Thornton, 349th AMW command chief master sergeant.

According to Chief DiDomenico an important difference between this course and other instruction is that the course is "facilitated," not taught. The students will work together in an interactive environment to learn, teach and network.

"Networking is important in any career-field, military or civilian," said Master Sgt. Debra Chappell, assistant chief of education and training for the 349th AMW. "Networking is more than just meeting and greeting. It's getting to know how others are dealing with the same situations you might be dealing with. It's learning from each other to ensure we're coming together to put our best practices in action."

The course is offered once a quarter by the command's numbered air forces. Wing command chief master sergeants select the students after receiving nomination from unit first sergeants and commanders.

These coveted spots go quickly, according to Sergeant Chappell. Interested reservists should talk with their supervisor if they would like to attend a future session.

Volunteer reservists - selected and trained at the Professional Development Center at Robins AFB, Ga. - facilitate the class.

Once a facilitator for the course, Chief Thornton said the communication lessons are invaluable. Students learn about verbal and non-verbal communication.

"I learned a great deal about conflict resolution," said Sergeant Chappell, who was also a student of the course. "This is important training for a manager and supervisor who wants to diffuse a negative or tense situation in the workplace. I think handling issues quickly and smartly help to get a team back on track and moving forward."

Chief Thornton said professional, well-trained senior NCOs are the driving force in today's military.

"They can make or break morale and they can shape our enlisted force by their actions," she said. "Make no mistake, whether they are direct supervisors or not, senior NCOs are role-models and are expected to set the example for our Airmen. This is a course all senior NCOs should attend." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)