NCOs get opportunity to hear Airman’s perspective

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  As a young Airman, have you ever wanted to be able to voice your opinion to a NCo, but found yourself without an opportunity?

Airmen wishing to do so are able to volunteer for the Airman's panel, held once per class cycle at the NCO academy on Kapaun Air Station, Germany. The panel is a 45-minute session that gives partial insight on 360-degree leadership for NCOs going through the academy.

"A huge part of that perspective is sitting down with motivated Airmen throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community," said Tech. Sgt. Karin Burke, NCOIC of the NCOA. "This session allows students to be mentored by motivated Airmen and provides them with an outlook that we often times fail to see; our Airmen are doing amazing things and have great ideas. This perspective will help us all become better leaders for our Air Force."

This panel gives all Airmen, including those who just arrived to their first duty station and those about to become NCOs themselves, the opportunity to explain traits the ideal NCO has.

"I wanted to be able to give the first-term Airman's feedback to NCOs on what they could work on and what NCOs are doing well," said Airman 1st Class Khrystian Ball, 786th Force Support Squadron evaluations technician. "It's just really good to know that the new Airman's voice is being heard."

Airmen provide feedback on areas where NCOs are doing well, or areas that could be better.

"The Airmen's perspective is an opportunity to gain an understanding of what today's Airmen face and their experiences with the NCOs they work with," Burke said. "These Airmen provide candid views and observations they have made regarding what their leaders are doing well and areas that they can improve."

NCOs learn a variety of things from this panel, ranging from how involved to be in their Airmen's work and personal lives to their training.

"I learned that Airmen seem to want to do the right thing, but their actions are greatly influenced by what we, as their leaders do and teach them," said Tech Sgt. Patrick Haney, 721 Aerial Port Squadron.

Airmen who make up the panel realize that what they have to say influences how these NCOs go about treating those they lead, Ball said.

"The NCOA showcases the fact that NCOs are really looking for feedback on how they can develop and build the strongest unit possible," he said. "It was really good to be able to speak to NCOs who are willing to learn how they can be better leaders."

For Ball, the most important thing any NCO can take from the panel is how NCOs can assist Airmen in their day-to-day job, he said.

"Airmen hear throughout their career that they are what makes the Air Force run," Ball said. "It's great knowing we have the NCOs there to assist in making us become the best we can be."

Haney noted at the end of the session, that Airmen today are different from when he joined the Air Force.

"The most important thing I learned is that Airmen are coming in with a lot more education than we did when I was an Airman," Haney said. "Airmen are already much more in line with the Air Force core values than a few years ago. Overall, the Airmen coming in these days are amazing."

Airmen interested in sharing their opinion on their version of the ideal NCO can volunteer during the next class cycle that comes through the NCOA.