Senior NCO seminar prepares master sergeant selects

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard's newest Senior NCOs attended a seminar July 20-23 to prepare them for the road ahead as they enter the higher ranks of enlisted members. 

The career assistance advisor Master Sgt. Ronald Pierce said the seminar is a stepping stone to prepare the master sergeant selects for their place in the senior NCO tier. 

"As soon as you put on the master sergeant stripe, expectations are very high," he said. "You see, hear and do things you never thought you would." 

Sergeant Pierce said it's critical to share the information at the seminar because they have to engrain it in their minds as senior NCOs. 

"You can never get enough military knowledge or information on career progression," he said. "Nobody knows everything and you can never get enough practice doing the job." 

The expert on career progression said some Airmen can become more focused on their occupation and don't get as much of the military culture as others. 

"This is exactly what they need," he said. He also said just because someone sews on a stripe, it doesn't mean they already know everything, "they have to be exposed to it." 

Airmen like Tech. Sgt. Penny Gallemore, Public Health NCO in charge, said the seminar is an "eye opener." 

"It helped me get a different mindset," she said. The seminar is preparing the master sergeant selects to take care of their Airmen and guide them throughout their careers, she said. 

She also said the seminar is important because it put in emphasis on what is expected from senior NCOs. 

The seminar included teaching human relations, career progression, ethical issues, communication, understanding Airmen and officers, and other information to prepare the future senior NCOs.