New SNCOs learn value of 'rooftop' stripe

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. --  It's Friday, Friday, Friday! What an incredibly busy week. Last night we (Team Travis) hosted our Senior Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony. We inducted approximately 75 new master sergeants and master sergeant selects into the SNCO tier; congratulations to Team Travis' newest SNCOs. It was truly an electrifying evening; a good time was had by all and an event that will linger in the hearts and minds of our inductees and their families for some time to come.

Our inductees spent this week attending our three-day SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar. During the seminar they received insight into some of today's top Air Force issues, a refresher in the principles of leadership, followership and discussions about some of the challenges they may face as they begin their new journey as a SNCO. This seminar placed emphasis on what it means to be a SNCO in today's Air Force and reinforced SNCO standards. The expectations of an NCO and a SNCO are drastically different and the demands placed upon them will increase exponentially. As master sergeants, our inductees are transitioning from being technical experts and first-line supervisors to operational leaders.

We've downsized our Air Force over the years and as a result of downsizing, some of our new master sergeants will remain in the same position they occupied as technical sergeants. Yet, others will view them differently because they are now SNCOs.

However, they must accept, embody and understand their new role, and project themselves as SNCOs. We need SNCOs with a high level of professionalism, a 24-hour commitment and a willingness to make sacrifices and take risks for their people.

SNCOs exemplify our core values, fulfilling a higher, patriotic call-to-duty through unyielding commitment, and dedication to our profession, the profession of arms. The transition to the SNCO tier is significant; we will now depend on their leadership and vision. Leadership, in my opinion, is nothing more than influence ... nothing more and nothing less. Influence can't be mandated or appointed; it must be earned. It's not earned because they are now a SNCO or because of their position. Influence is earned through actions. Knowing and understanding their subordinates, being a positive example and putting their new stripes on the line; fighting each and every day for the benefit of the mission and the people.

I hope when our inductees woke up this morning, donned their uniform and gazed into the mirror at their new chevrons, their chest swelled a bit and shortly thereafter they realized that it's not about them but about their Airmen and the mission. Their chevrons should be a constant reminder of the responsibility they have to those that currently serve in the SNCO tier and those that came before them. Their top stripe (the roof) is there to shelter those residing beneath it; their bottom stripe is the foundation of who they are and where they came from. Leaders are responsible for creating environments that enable people to leverage eachother beyond their own individual capability. I'm confident our new inductees will serve us proudly and project the image of professional SNCOs. Team Travis as always; have a great weekend, make responsible choices, be safe and I'll see you around campus.