Airmen choosing to stay true to blue

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joy Josephson
  • Detachment 7, Air Force News Agency
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNEWS) --  Since 1965, retention rates for first-term Airmen have been set at 55 percent and today, even with constant deployments, budgetary constraints and force shaping initiatives, those rates continue to exceed. Around the globe, young Airmen are choosing to stay blue.

Senior Airman Joshua Ames is a security forces control center operator at Izmir, Turkey. Halfway through his first enlistment, Airman Ames has also been stationed in Korea and Minot Air Force Base, N.D. He describes his Air Force experience as "great." So great, in fact, he thinks often of what it would take for him to stay in the service.

"I'm thinking about maybe making it a career, he said. "I'm going to McGuire Air Force Base after Izmir, so I'll see how that treats me."

"So many things factor into my decision," he said. "One of the biggest things that'll keep me in -- the people I meet. You make a lot of good friends in the Air Force. People you want to stay in contact with."

People, places and benefits are three things that often top a first-term Airman's list of reasons to reenlist. But also high on that list -- the people who directly interact with Airmen -- supervisors.

"I've talked to friends with bad supervisors, and they've (bad supervisors) just left a bad taste in their mouths," Airman Ames said. "They just can't wait to get out. Having a good supervisor makes a huge difference, and puts you on a good path. It can set you straight."

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Edgar works as the alternate communications security account manager at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. He knows what it takes to be that "good" supervisor. 

"As an NCO in general, you need to get to know your Airmen," he said. "You've got to know their goals and aspirations. Once you do, you can tailor your supervision ... because what motivates one Airman to excel, won't work on another. You really need to know your Airmen."

According to Air Force statistics, one out of every three first-term Airmen choose to stay blue. Making that decision is an individual choice, one that hinges on factors as varied as the Airmen facing the decision. This factor helps the Air Force continue to exceed first term retention rates.

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