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Seminar creates better educated, informed NCOs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The first general responsibilities of an NCO are to accept and execute all duties, instructions, responsibilities and lawful orders in a timely, efficient manner and lead subordinates and exercise effective followership in mission accomplishment, according to Air Force Instruction 36-2618. 

This puts NCOs in a unique position because they are to be leaders and followers at the same time. 

To help train NCOs, they attend Airman Leadership School and NCO Academy, but there is nothing in between. To help bridge this gap, Scott's Enlisted Professional Enhancement Center created the NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar. 

"NCOs are the backbone of the Air Force," said Master Sgt. Scott Greene, EPEC career assistance advisor. "It is important for them to have the opportunity to rebuild their skills, which empowers them to become better supervisors." 

The four-day seminar refreshed 38 Team Scott NCOs on topics that all good NCOs should be exposed to. Some of the briefs included team building, financial management, enlisted history, education, effective Enlisted Performance Report writing, networking and time management. The program also included sessions with different professional organizations and Chief Master Sgt. Jim Suttles, 375th Airlift Wing command chief. 

Tech. Sgt. Linda Thacker, 3rd Manpower Requirements Squadron management analyst, said, "I learned a lot of things that I didn't know before about being a good leader. Something that was a real eye opener to me was that I control my future and the way that I want to go." 

Sergeant Thacker's favorite part was Chief Suttles' brief. 

"Hearing him made a big difference. I think a lot of people can relate to him when he talked about 'being a dirt bag Airman' at some point, and he proved that even troubled Airmen can turnout good if given a chance," she said. 

Staff Sgt. Ronnie Woods, 375th Security Forces Squadron security forces armory NCOIC, was another participant. 

"All of the briefers emphasized mentorship and education," he said. "I learned that I need to find a mentor who is somebody I can relate to and is in a place where I want to be. Also I need to continue my education. 

"The thing I found the most beneficial was the effective EPR writing brief," he continued. "I learned the correct way to do a feedback and be better with time management. The class also allowed me to enhance my network." 

The NCOPE is scheduled to be held quarterly. Notifications of upcoming classes will be sent out via e-mail. For more information, contact the EPEC at 256-5296.