Promotion is an important step

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Congratulations to our new technical and master sergeant selects ... well done! Each promotion announcement brings joy to those selected for promotion to the next grade and disappointment to those who are not. 

For those of you, who did not earn a promotion this year, stay focused and don't give up; develop and implement a systematic study plan and commit to your plan. It's not easy, but you can do it. Simply sacrifice a couple of hours a day for a few months and we will more than likely celebrate with you next year ... good luck. 

Master sergeant selects, each stripe you have earned in your Air Force career is equally important and although it may not feel like it, you have grown with each promotion. However, joining the ranks of our senior noncommissioned officer corps is a milestone you should be extremely proud of achieving. 

Life in our Air Force as you know it today will change because of your new status. More will be expected of you and more will be demanded of you because you are now a SNCO. 

As a master sergeant you must transition from being the hands-on technical expert in your vocation and front-line supervisor to an operational leader. You must lead by example and be the standard because you are now a SNCO. The rank of a SNCO carries significantly increased responsibilities and requires a broad technical and managerial perspective. 

You will now be responsible for merging your personnel's talents, skills and resources to most effectively accomplish the mission. And, most importantly, creating an environment that's conducive for all under your supervision to develop, grow and reach their full potential. You're also responsible for ensuring your staff sergeants understand what it means to be a NCO and a supervisor; and your technical sergeants develop into the technical experts and leaders we need in today's Air Force. 

Technical sergeant selects, you have now conquered what some believe is the most difficult stripe to attain ... you should be extremely proud. As a technical sergeant you must continue your technical growth and become a skilled technician in your primary specialty. In addition to becoming your organization's technical expert, you are now responsible for the development of all subordinates assigned to your unit. 

You must provide sound supervision and training to your subordinates creating opportunities for them to demonstrate their leadership abilities; then make a commitment to mentor those that can benefit from your training and experience. Our Airmen need mentoring more today than ever before. Therefore, it's essential you embrace our core values and lead by example; motivate every Airmen to operate at their maximum effectiveness to meet and exceed the demands on our force. 

Selects take great pride in your new status and never forget those pioneers that blazed the trail before you, some paying the ultimate price. Throughout your travels never forget from which you came. Finally, remember your success will no longer be predicated upon your accomplishments, but on the accomplishments of your subordinates ... leadership -- the art of influencing others. 

Take care of your people and they will take care of you. Again, congratulations on your accomplishment. Team Travis, have a great weekend; be safe, make responsible choices and I'll see you around campus. 

I almost forgot ... Happy Fathers' Day to all the fathers out there.