Honest, detailed evaluations help everyone improve Published July 19, 2012 By Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Davis 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Throughout the last few months I've been reflecting on my journey and the changes I've seen along the way. Let's take a walk through time and discuss where we've been and where we're going. Let's start with first impressions and the very real importance of sponsors. I wasn't assigned a sponsor to my first base and as such I didn't receive a sponsor package and knew nothing of billeting, the base or the area. Today despite manning constraints, our command support staff professionals ensure that our troops receive welcome packages and dedicated sponsors to meet them and show them around. Sponsors are their first impression to the base. I'm not naïve, I know there are still problems but by exception not the rule. If you see troops in transition who may be experiencing difficulty step in and assist. Through collective support we will ensure moves are made easier and our folks can begin to stabilize in their new surroundings thus affording them greater focus. Remember that if you are designated to be the sponsor you treat others as you want to be treated. Training is critical, whether the training is sponsoring someone to the base or your personal training through career field development courses. When I first entered the Air Force, career field training was discussed frequently, but not tangible. We talked about it, feared it when an inspection team was on the horizon and encouraged everyone to sign their open tasks off because it was widely known that inspectors would review those in upgrade. It appeared that to become hands on proficient was only going to get done if I made it happen. I watched, listened and consulted two highly motivated senior airmen in between my assigned tasks and learned everything I could from them in association with my career development course volumes of instruction. No matter how much we change some things remain the same--training is critical. Today, we've developed new methods of tracking training. We seek out venues around the Air Force to send folks to train. We've communicated the need to have corporate agency and Air Force support to understand the needs of the worker and its impact on future design implementation. We are maximizing educational enhancement tools such as formal training detachments and the use of interactive graphics support. We realize the necessity to provide as much training as possible in as many forums as possible to enhance not only our daily capabilities but the self-esteem and credibility of our men and women and our ability to survive and operate on the road. In order to appreciate what we have we should appreciate how it was and how it has evolved to meet the needs of today's Air Force. I've heard through the years that this is not the Air Force I grew up in. The Air Force isn't the same and thankfully that's true. It is imperative that through innovation and technology we provide the best opportunity for success of our greatest resource--our people. We do not change for change sake--it is people, mission or priorities. Learning from the past to develop the future ensures Airmen are the very best they can be, ready to defend our nation anytime, anyplace.