Promotion selectees inducted to senior NCO tier

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  What does it feel like to be in the top three percent of the Air Force? A total of 86 technical sergeants here prepare to take the next step in their career and become one step closer to being a part of this elite group as they move from NCO to senior NCO.

The senior NCO induction ceremony this year is Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at Eagles Landing.

Getting promoted from an NCO to a senior NCO, is not only a great accomplishment in any Airman's career, but it is an honor to those Airmen, said Senior Master Sgt. David Houtz, the committee chair for the senior NCO induction ceremony.

"This is a pivotal promotion for our junior NCOs," said Chief Master Sgt. Donald Poormon, superintendent of 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron. "It's the point where they really dive off the deep end and have a hand in how policy is implemented. A senior NCO's choices dictate how smoothly or painfully day-to-day duties are completed."

On average, it has taken 16 years time in service and four and a half years time in grade for these 86 NCOs to reach this point in their careers. Along with time in service, it takes a recommendation by the NCOs supervisor and leaders. Supervisors recommend Airmen when they have proven themselves to be superior performers, which are rated by your enlisted performance report, WAPs testing scores and the ability to lead and manage other Airmen to be considered for master sergeant.

It takes more than good EPRs and test scores to be a senior NCO, Poormon explained. In order to be a senior NCO, you have to be: hungry to advocate for your Airmen by tactfully presenting your ideas and building credibility; be an honest broker to Airmen by always giving the brutal truth, in turn promoting excellence; be an honest broker to supervisors by giving the tactful and timely truth to them and always try to resolve a problem master sergeant to master sergeant, this helps build networks and makes a more effective leaders. Also, be a politician for the benefit of Airmen and sync that with the goals of the unit, promoting integrity first; step back from emotion and know what battles need to be pursued and what cannot. Finally, do a "gut" check, this means evaluate options and either make the change to meet standards or gracefully bow out and move on to the next adventure.

Hopefully, in doing all these things, an NCO will realize their contribution to a positive evolution of the Air Force and are able to sleep easy knowing that, Poorman said. "That's service before self!"

Remember, many Airmen look to their senior NCOs for mentoring, guidance and examples of what it means to be a great "wingman, leader and warrior."

Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do are not just words, they are a lifestyle. If Airmen follow the core values that the Air Force has laid out, they have the opportunity to become part of the senior NCO tier of the Air Force that these 86 Airmen are making their next step towards.

For more information about the promotion ceremony contact Houtz at 722-2537.