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379th AEW maintains tradition for newest SNCOs

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ryan Kruse
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Tech. Sgt. Tamecca Neely found out she made the promotion list less than a week after starting her one-year deployment in Southwest Asia.

Two and a half months later, she received another surprise when she received an invitation from her first sergeant to attend a Senior NCO professional development course and recognition ceremony.

"As soon as I read out about it, I said 'yes'," said Neely, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Force Protection Intelligence noncommissioned officer in charge. "I didn't think they offered the course here."

At most locations, this course typically runs three to four days. However, when factoring in the operations tempo, air tasking order requirements and mission requirements, this made a traditional professional development seminar impractical. These challenges didn't prevent the "Top 3" leadership and the newly established 379th AEW Air Force Sergeant's Association chapter from developing a condensed version of the material.

"The course has been tailored to the deployed environment," said Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, 379th AEW command chief. "As busy as we are, I think it was the right thing to do. It's an excellent opportunity for us to give back to young NCOs."

The one-day course on Sept. 1, covered a variety of topics which included standards and discipline, ethics, team building and mentoring. The curriculum also featured a question and answer session with a chief's panel, as well as a briefing on how the E-8 and E-9 promotion board process works.

"I was impressed," explained Neely. "They were able to hit all the key areas. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Having chiefs who have sat in on the promotion boards helped tremendously."

The day culminated with a recognition ceremony at the Independence Dining Facility. The ceremony gave supervisors, coworkers and senior enlisted leaders a chance to celebrate the milestone with the inductees.

"We saw an opportunity to give back," said Senior Master Sgt. Yasmeen Wilson-Terrell, 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron first sergeant. "The transition to master sergeant is a big step and many would miss the ceremony at their home station, so we wanted to do something for them here."

This is only the second SNCO development course held at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. Due to overwhelmingly positive feedback, organizers plan on making it a yearly event.