RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- An Airman assigned to the 725th Air Mobility Squadron graduated from the Chief Petty Officer Phase II program at Naval Station Rota, Spain on Sept. 16.
Tech. Sgt. Jon Hollenbeck, 725th AMS air mobility unit section chief, attended the six-week long course alongside 30 chief petty officer-selects, the Navy equivalent of an Air Force master sergeant.
“Chief Petty Officer Phase II was one of the most challenging things I have done while in the military,” Hollenbeck said. “During the graduation, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I was proud that I had the opportunity to represent the Air Force.”
The program is designed to prepare Sailors for the challenges of the senior noncommissioned officer ranks, and must be completed by every chief petty officer in order for them to be able to wear their anchors, the symbol of a chief petty officer.
The relationship between the Navy and the Air Force at Rota has provided a select few Airmen the opportunity to attend the course.
“John is one of the most professional and eager to learn individuals I have come across,” said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Smith, 725th AMS air mobility unit superintendent. “His accomplishment brings pride to myself and the unit. His dedication to this course was evident to myself as well as the chief petty officers teaching it, who commented to me on numerous occasions they were impressed with his attitude and professionalism.”
The Airman and NCO professional military education courses are fundamentally different from the Navy’s approach to professional development, Hollenbeck said. He equated it to being back in basic military training, starting at ground zero, learning the foundations of the Navy enlisted corps.
“Inter-service collaboration is becoming ever more important,” Smith Said. “Opportunities like these for our Airmen to step outside a flightline and onto a quarterdeck help to shore up our unwavering joint working relationship.”
The joint environment in the class provided an opportunity for the senior NCO-selects from each branch to learn from one another.
“I knew very little about the Navy and what it means to be a chief petty officer,” Hollenbeck said. “After the six weeks, I learned a lot about the amazing history of the Navy and the history of the chief petty officer. I feel honored that I was accepted into the Chiefs mess as one.
“Being a part of this heritage is one of the most humbling and honorable responsibilities a senior NCO can be entrusted with,” Hollenbeck added. “My Air Force leadership, my Navy brothers and especially the support of my loving wife, Jessica, and daughter, Abigail, were paramount to my success.”
Even though Hollenbeck was only authorized to wear the anchors on his uniform during the graduation ceremony, he was still honored to receive them.
“I would like to thank my unit for allowing the time away from work to attend [this course],” Hollenbeck said. “I would also like to thank the Navy here at Rota for letting an Air Force member take part in one of the greatest traditions in the Navy.”