Leading the leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jovan Banks
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Staff sergeants and above at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., looking to establish themselves as better candidates for promotion had the opportunity to do so with the help of a Top III course Feb. 15, 2015.

Senior NCOs and commissioned officers from and around the base volunteered their time to instruct the Airmen who were looking to improve themselves.

Master Sgt. Rickey Brandenburg, Non Commissioned Officer in charge of the 393rd Weapons Maintenance Unit, headed the event, hosting more than 20 Airmen and five mentors.

"Most importantly we just want to get the word out that things like this are available to our Airmen," said Brandenburg. "This is something that could benefit anyone that was looking to get advice from people who have been promoted to the ranks they are looking to obtain."

Chief Master Sgt. Freddie G. Davis, the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron chief enlisted manager, believes mentorship is not only good for the Airmen being mentored, but for the mentor as well.

"The students benefit from increased self-confidence, self-esteem, professional growth and enhanced skill, giving them more chances for success," said Davis. "Leaders are the vital link to keeping the task focused with people in mind, instead of keeping us bound to an institution with no direction or sense of being."

The mentorship program offered a segment on writing better bullets to increase the impact of each statement during an enlisted performance report review.

"It comes into play once you put on higher ranks," said Brandenburg. "A well-written bullet will tell a story of how you helped the Air Force."

A course hosted by Tier II with similar intent directed toward Senior Airmen and below is scheduled to be held in March. More information about the course will be provided via e-mail as it becomes available.

Senior Airman Matthew Murphy, a financial analyst form the 509th Comptroller Squadron, said the mentorship program is something he finds interesting and also helpful.

"Mentorship from a senior NCO can provide direction and knowledge for your career or life in a way you may not have even considered," said Murphy. "Guidance on how to test and how to be competitive for awards, promotions or special duties could put you on a path to an extremely successful career."

It is never too early to make advancements toward one's career goals and finding a mentor for guidance is just one way Airmen can improve their chances at being competitive for promotion.