JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
From their very first day as noncommissioned officers, junior NCOs are reminded of their responsibility to the Air Force and to the Airmen they will now lead.
Their induction ceremony is steeped in tradition, uniquely recognizing their transition. It celebrates their accomplishments in their military career thus far and highlights the additional responsibilities they will now take on.
“All of us who have served in uniform -- from the newest recruits to four-star generals and admirals — have respected and learned from the outstanding men and women who wear the chevrons, anchors, and stripes of our noncommissioned officer and petty officer corps,” wrote U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the National Defense Press publication, “The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer - BACKBONE of the Armed Force."
“We know them to have exceptional competence, professional character, and soldierly grit — they are exemplars of our Profession of Arms. The mid-grade enlisted force plays a unique role within the entire force,” he said. “They are the frontline of our profession. They represent our values, behaviors, and character to our most junior ranks every day, no matter what transitions we face today or challenges we will face.”
Master Sgt. Genevieve Villela, financial operations superintendent for the 502d Comptroller Squadron, considers junior NCOs the conduit of information and first introduction to the Air Force for new Airmen.
Junior NCOs have three main functions: competency, caring and courage, she said. “They must make tough decisions, have empathy for the Airmen they lead, and be subject matter experts in their field.
“This is not an easy job, but it is worth it every single day,” she said. “We are charged with the future of our Air Force, and everything we do makes a difference.”
Tech. Sgt. Jose Martinez, a junior NCO at the Air Force Personnel Center with 13 years of military service, believes junior NCOs are important to every aspect of military life.
“Junior NCOs support the Air Force mission by being the backbone and subject matter expert for every work center,” he said. “They are the frontline supervisors who ensure the mission is being accomplished in a safe and efficient manner.”
Martinez said, as an NCO, he has also realized the importance of taking care of people, on and off duty.
“What I have learned as a junior NCO that has benefited me the most is to take care of my people, and also to take care of myself,” he said. “How can we expect Airmen to be the best version of themselves if we do not provide them the support they need?”
Another building block of becoming an exceptional junior NCO is attending Airman Leadership School, where future NCOs learn how to be good and effective communicators up and down the chain of command.
The commandant of JBSA’s Rogers Airman Leadership School, Master Sgt. Nicole R. Buchheit, said being in between the junior enlisted Airmen and senior NCOs gives junior NCOs a diverse perspective.
“Not only do they have the skill set to ensure any issues junior Airmen have are communicated from the bottom up, but they also communicate anything the senior NCOs need to pass down in such a way that is relatable to Airmen,” she said.
“I think something junior NCOs need to know is that they are stronger than they think they are,” she said. “They’re probably more empowered than they think they are as well.”
As newly minted junior NCOs go into the field, Buchheit encourages them not to be afraid to use their voice and speak up, politely and appropriately.
“I encourage them to lift their voices because when they do, they will have the ability to impact their mission in ways they probably don’t even fathom,” she said. “Speak up, because we absolutely want to hear what you have to say.”
Learn more about the importance of NCOs in the military by reading: “The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer - BACKBONE of the Armed Force” at: https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Publications/ncobackbone.pdf.