To the new SNCOs: Welcome to the next stage of the journey

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Man what a week!

We were all extremely busy, and yet, our Airmen somehow still found a way to unselfishly devote their time to orchestrate a gala affair. We hosted our Senior Non-commissioned Officer Banquet at the Delta Breeze Club Aug. 23 and what a memorable evening it was for our inductees.

We had a grand time recognizing our new SNCO as we inducted 95 new master sergeants into the Senior Non-commissioned Officer tier.

To our new SNCOs: you have achieved a significant milestone in your career and we are extremely proud of you. You are now a member of that prestigious group referred to as the "Top Three".

I encourage you not to take your new role lightly because it truly is a "BIG" deal to be a SNCO in today's Air and Space Force. I hope when you wake up, don your uniform and gaze into the mirror at your new chevrons your chest swells up a bit.

Your chevrons should be a constant reminder of the responsibility you have to those that currently serve in the SNCO tier and those that came before you. Your top stripe, the roof, is there to shelter those residing beneath it. Your bottom stripe is the foundation of who you are and where you came from.

SNCOs exemplify our core values, fulfilling a higher, patriotic call-to-duty through unyielding commitment, and dedication to profession of arms. Your transition to the SNCO tier is significant.

However, it's incumbent upon you to ensure those you encounter view you differently because of the standards and example you exhibit daily. We will now depend on your 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 you are now a SNCO or because of your position.

Influence is earned through your actions. Knowing, and understanding your people, being a positive example, putting your new stripes on the line and fighting each and every day for the benefit of the mission and people.

Col. Joshua Chamberlain captured it best, at Gettysburg when he explained to the men from Maine why they should fight at Gettysburg. He said, "Here you can be somebody, it's not the land, it's the idea that we all have value, you and me what we're fighting for in the end we're fighting for each other."

In our Air Force everyone can be somebody, we're all valuable, from airman basic to general, and the daily battle you fight is not for land but for Airmen.

As a SNCO you can not lose sight of that because you are now the lynchpin to your Airmen's success, their failures and their happiness.

As a SNCO you have to know what's worth fighting for. I can't tell you what it is, it's like hope or faith, you just know its right.

A leader's vision is the foresight, image are roadmap to success. As technical sergeants, your vision was restricted primarily to the tactical level. Tactically, your concerns were focused on accomplishing today's mission and the resources required to complete the mission.

In your new role as SNCOs, we need you to elevate your vision to the operational realm.

Operationally your focus will be much broader. You must still be focused on accomplishing today's mission. However, how will the resources you exhausted today impact tomorrow's mission, next week's or the mission scheduled for next month and the resources required for future missions?

Being a SNCO is a big deal because you must have a high-level of professionalism, a 24-hour commitment, a willingness to make sacrifices and take risks for your people. I wish each of you success on your new journey and to take your new role seriously.

As always, be safe, make responsible choices and see you around campus.