Travis provides course to leaders

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Geneva Croxton
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis Air Force Base is offering a two-day course to help company grade officers understand their roles as upcoming flight commanders and officers in charge.

During a recent course, officers from a variety of career fields discussed the responsibilities of a flight commander, communication skills, the importance of good feedback and techniques for setting expectations and delegation. 
     
Four volunteer panels consisting of Airmen, NCO, senior NCOs and squadron commanders shared their experiences and discussed what they looked for in a flight commander. 

Fairness, consistency and standards were requested of flight commanders from the NCO panel. 

The senior NCO panel stressed the importance of a strong working relationship between the flight commander and their enlisted leadership.
  
"The relationship between the senior NCO and flight commander is two sided," said Senior Master Sgt. Adriana Hickman, radar approach control chief controller. 

"I have to take the time to talk to you, but you also need to take the time to learn from me.  We need to build a relationship based on communication, keeping the door open for us to discuss the climate in the flight," Hickman said. 

Lt. Col. Eric Weber, 60th Operations Support commander, took on the role of senior mentor for the course, sharing experiences and challenges with students.  Weber stressed the importance of asking for feedback from flight members of all ranks.

"Struggling as a perfectionist, I faced challenges earlier in my career with leadership," Weber said.  "It is important to humble yourself in leadership positions.  Once I realized this in my career, I was much more comfortable with my role as a leader."

The course could be beneficial across Air Mobility Command, as flight commanders play a large role in squadrons.   

"I have faced dilemmas over the last six months that would have been easier if I had a course like this to help," Weber said.  "Flights serve as mini-organizations to support the squadron commander and are a great resource."

The benefits of the course will be evident in the short term and in years to come, according to Weber.   

"The role of flight commander helps prepare our young leaders for the positions they will fill as more senior officers," he said.

"The position of flight commander gives you latitude to find out what works and doesn't work early in the game, when you have a smaller impact than you would as a squadron commander.  It helps officers recognize when it is appropriate to take risks and when it becomes more appropriate to dial it back. 

"This time to take risks is crucial to our young officers," Weber said. 

"We need our leaders to realize that if you fail because you try something new, you are doing your part for the organization" Weber said.  

Chief Master Sgt. Alan Boling, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief also spoke to the class. 

"It is crucial that you develop a relationship based on trust with your senior NCOs and NCOs," Boling said.  "These senior enlisted members can be looked to for an understanding of unit cohesion and morale as well as job skill and expertise.  This relationship based on respect will be beneficial when they tell you, as the flight commander, what you need to hear when nobody else will."

Boling recommended three things to the students: "utilize the knowledge that you have with senior enlisted members for when you don't have all the answers; celebrate and focus on the good on your team, and allow the standards to weed out the bad."