Look up to your senior NCOs

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Greg Kesler
  • 470th Air Base Squadron commander
NATO AIR BASE Geilenkirchen, Germany (AFPN) --  We’ve all had a recent reminder of how our world changed with the second anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and Flight 93.

At the time of the attacks, I had just taken over as a training squadron commander responsible for teaching most of the enlisted troops in the command and control career fields. As such, I saw young recruits coming in the door, which gave me a new perspective on those completing their time with the Air Force.

Immediately after the attacks, the Air Force implemented Stop-Loss. This was done to prevent members from separating from military service until senior leaders could determine the full impact of the new war on terrorism. Eventually Stop-Loss was lifted and many senior noncommissioned officers who had been prevented from retiring left the service.

When I saw what it takes to mold a young airman into someone well-equipped and well-suited for a productive life in the military, I then saw our retiring senior NCOs and all the years of experience we were losing in a different light. I gained a greater appreciation for the role of our NCO corps.

With almost 400 students on board at any given time in my training squadron, I frequently ask them why they chose to join the military. As you can imagine, their answers vary greatly.

For whatever reason they join, the vast majority of people join for personal reasons. Seldom do I hear, “To serve my country,” or “To be a part of the greatest airpower on earth.”

The dichotomy between that and what I saw going out the door was striking. Watching a seasoned, well-trained leader leave the service after 20-plus years is bittersweet. On the one hand, you are happy for them and wish them well in their future endeavors. On the other, you are sad to see such an asset leave with so much skill and, in many cases, potential.

It takes many years to develop a senior NCO. They are at the top of their profession. I have always had the utmost admiration for them and have had the privilege to have some great senior NCO mentors as I was coming up through the ranks. From where I sit now, and seeing what it takes to get to that point, I have a greater respect and appreciation for them now than ever before.

For whatever reason someone comes into the military, staying 20-plus years says something about commitment and sacrifice -- and every senior NCO knows about both. So, to the junior NCOs I say, “Look up to these folks; they represent what you should aspire to become.”

To the officer corps I say, “Cherish these select few who have shown the dedication and commitment that makes us the Super Bowl champions of air power.” (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe)