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Commentary: Special-duty assignments provide opportunity for growth, leadership

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Clint M. Wolf
  • 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The enlisted corps of the U.S. Air Force has some of the most highly trained specialists in the world, but many non-commissioned officers never seek job opportunities outside their technical specialties.

The Air Force, however, offers a variety of special-duty work assignments that provide valuable career-broadening experience in such varied roles as recruiter, military training instructor or Professional Military Education instructor.

My current home-station assignment affords me the unique experience of serving as a Reserve Officer Training Corps specialist. In this capacity, I have the opportunity to interact with and influence the next generation of Air Force leaders. Enlisted members who become ROTC specialists are often the first NCOs these young cadets come in contact with, and they become the standard by which all others are measured.

My job is to serve as a military advisor at Texas A&M University, which is one of six Senior Military Colleges in the United States. A Senior Military College is one that is rich in military history and provides students with specific opportunities for ROTC programs.

I help advise and mentor over 14 squadrons - roughly 500 cadets annually - from freshman year through graduation or commissioning into the military. The process starts by taking first-year cadets away from their normal, everyday lifestyles and talking to them individually about their life and experiences. Sharing one's military experiences over the years is a good way to build relationships with them; in this manner, the military advisor becomes their role model by providing guidance and knowledge in order to prepare them for accomplishing their missions.

Over the years, my role in watching theses cadets grow and prosper into professional individuals has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my Air Force career. I recall helping a cadet through a rough time when he was being prepared for disenrollment from the ROTC program right before he was due to graduate. As the military advisor, I had to prepare the paperwork and walk the cadet through the process.

However, a decision ultimately was made to allow the cadet to commission into the Air Force. When he found out the good news, the newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant came to me to receive his first salute because of the support I provided to keep him strong and motivated. He then presented me with a silver dollar - a longstanding Air Force tradition meant to honor such a proud occasion. I will remember that experience for the rest of my life.

Serving as an ROTC specialist is an excellent career choice for any Senior Airman through Technical Sergeant interested in broadening his or her experience into non-traditional roles. You would help make a crucial difference in the development of our future leaders, many of whom are likely to ask you to be their "silver dollar salute."