Leadership tools polished at SNCO course

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Sandi Michon
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. -- --  By Senior Master Sgt. Sandi Michon 

Westover hosted a senior enlisted leadership course here Oct. 25-26 for 26 Air Force members, which for the first time included the Air National Guard.
The Senior Noncommissioned-Officer Leadership Course is ideal for busy schedules as a two-day course offered typically on non-UTA weekends. It's a dynamic, fast-paced course that covers 12 modules including communication, teamwork, motivation, conflict resolution and career progression.
"The course far exceeded my expectations," said Chief Master Sgt. Albert H. Reale, Jr., 104th Fighter Wing Command Chief at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Mass.
"I discovered so much through the exercises and loved that it was fun and participatory all the way through," he said.
Fellow Guard member, Master Sgt. Dominique Chapman hoped the course would not be "death-by-PowerPoint," and was pleasantly surprised. "It was excellent. The constant involvement made us experience the concepts so I can more easily relate them to situations back at Barnes," she said.
"It's a good refresher. It's stuff you know about, but forget to practice," said Master Sgt. Steve Wilkinson, 514th Air Mobility Wing fitness monitor. "You can assess yourself as a leader," he said.
Both 22nd Air Force Command Chief James R. Fields, Jr. and Westover's Command Chief Zigmund Skawski attended portions of the two-day course.
"This outstanding course gives senior NCOs the opportunity to 're-blue,' network with peers from other wings, and give and take away great ideas, " said Chief Fields. He calls the course a "confidence-builder" that often allows for discovery of personal weaknesses in an environment that offers effective tools to overcome them.
Chief Skawski highlighted the networking aspect of the course as key to meeting new challenges in today's Air Force. "This course is crucial in helping our senior NCOs develop the skills to lead their Airmen," he said, and used the "muscle memory" concept to emphasize the importance of repetition in leadership training.
Westover's 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Coordinator, Gerilyn J. Ridzon signed up for the course to learn more about being a master sergeant. Wearing the rank for only one year, Sergeant Ridzon had a list of "take-aways" from the course. "It taught me to adjust, to work as a team, and to seek input," she said. At the top of the list is earning the trust of her Airmen. "You gotta give it to get it," she said.
The four SNCO Leadership Course facilitators were: Senior Master Sgt. Sandra Dye from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.; Master Sgts. Joe Amorese from Niagara ARS, N.Y.; Terry Frye from Charleston AFB S.C.; and Brent Black from Youngstown ARS, Ohio.
Sergeant Dye has more than 25 classes under her belt, and says the course provides a vision rather than just book-learning. "I love to see the 'light bulbs' go on in every class. Many SNCOs know the concepts but they don't know how to apply them," she said. "It gives a broader perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and others, and how it all fits together to reach their goals."
Sergeant Dye is a professor at Purdue University in Indiana and a first sergeant with the 434th Operations Group. From both perspectives, she sees the usefulness of problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity emphasized in the leadership course activities.
"It's an excellent class," said Sergeant Ridzon. "Everyone should try to attend."
The course is offered between 12-14 times annually, and by 22nd Air Force, four times each year. Those interested in attending should contact their command chief.