BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California –
The 940th Air Refueling Wing presented a variety of opportunities to its Airmen during its first enlisted call March 11, 2017 at Beale Air Force Base, California.
“Is there anyone here who has an aspiration to do something bigger or better than the position you’re in now?” asked Senior Master Sgt. Martin Walker, 940th Force Support Squadron education and training superintendent.
Walker spoke about enlisted forces development. He explained that an Air Force Reserve initiative is looking to provide education and training opportunities for Airmen, to better prepare them for their personal goals, as well as the missions’.
Someone who wears a different, yet, familiar hat presented another opportunity, which allows NCOs and senior NCOs to train others.
Master Sgt. Jose Rodriguez, a basic military training instructor supervisor assigned to the 433rd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, spoke about his job and encouraged NCOs and senior NCOs to become instructors.
“There’s nothing like getting 52 to 65 trainees, right off the bus, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, where I get to greet them into the Air Force,” Rodriguez said.
BMT has over 30 instructor positions available to reservists. Staff sergeants with one year time-in-grade, technical sergeants and master sergeants are eligible to apply.
“We want NCOs and senior NCOs to come down, mentor and develop these young Airmen,” he said. “You don’t have to yell, as long as you can use your NCO skills to get the mission accomplished.”
The MTI position is not the only special duty assignment available. Two of the wing’s senior master sergeants spoke highly of their positions as first sergeants and presented that opportunity.
Senior Master Sgt. Ray Dell’Ara, 940th Maintenance Group first sergeant, described what it’s like to be a first sergeant and how their council is there to help do their job.
“To be a first sergeant, you don’t have to know everything,” Dell’Ara said. “Every first sergeant, whether a diamond-wearing first sergeant or an undershirt, helps each other out.”
For first sergeants, helping is an everyday task.
“As members of the Air Force, we are always trying to take care of our wingmen,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Wilson, 940th Force Support Squadron first sergeant. “But this becomes your full-time job. The first time you help someone through an issue…Nothing else can match that feeling.”
The first enlisted call merely scratched the surface of how many improvement opportunities there are open to all Airmen. Every six months, the 940 ARW plans to hold an enlisted and officer call to bring everyone together and further showcase opportunities available throughout the Air Force Reserve.