Stand on shoulders of giants to see farther in career

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin Manalastas
  • 60th Comptroller Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Sir Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

This is one of my favorite quotes and it directly applies to the type of leader or supervisor you can or should be. 

Looking back on your career, how many giants have shouldered you? I have been fortunate in my career because I can name at least a dozen. Although I did have some great supervisors early in my enlistment, no one actually sat me down to discuss how the Air Force could be a career.

This didn't happen until I was a young technical sergeant and this very motivated master sergeant opened my eyes to the endless possibilities I could achieve. To this day, I constantly thank him for being my giant and allowing me to see beyond the trees. 

I am not amazed on how little information our Airmen get when it comes to promotion to the top two ranks. Countless times, I have reviewed technical sergeants' and young master sergeants' records to find they have yet to complete their Community College of the Air Force degree or professional military education equivalent distance learning.  When I ask why, I usually get the answer, "I'm not trying to make the next rank or I didn't know." 

If you fall into this category and your reason is the former, let me remind you Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, 4.1.4, states, "NCOs should earn a CCAF degree, if not already earned, to further expand their professional development and technical expertise." And 5.2 states, "MSgt-selects should immediately enroll in and complete the AFSNCO (Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer course) by distance learning in preparation for their new roles."  Neither of these statements have anything to do with promotion. 

Completing these two requirements not only benefits the individual, but their unit and the Air Force as a whole.  If the reason is the latter, then where is the giant in your career? If you haven't had the opportunity, it is never too late to start. 

Find yourself a giant and absorb the knowledge. Excel in your position, your unit and the wing. But more importantly take care of your Airmen and ensure the same information is relayed to them. Remember, knowledge is power so ensure the knowledge is spread across the board and not to a select few. Let them make the determination on what to do with it.

Today is perhaps one of the most challenging times for any good leader. The quality and character of our enlisted corps have led to its recognition as the bedrock of our Air Force.  Bold, out-front leaders should be a norm and not an exception. Don't let our recognition diminish.  So if you're a supervisor, when was the last time you shouldered your Airmen?