Senior NCO leadership course comes to Grissom Published Feb. 23, 2007 By Senior Airman Mark Orders-Woepner 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Having the right tools in any job can mean the difference between success and failure, and this fact reigns true for Air Force leadership. With this in mind, Grissom has the opportunity to give not only its members, but senior NCOs from around Air Force Reserve Command the tools they need to succeed at this year's Senior NCO Leadership Course March 24 and 25. "This is a two-day leadership course focused on intense training," said Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 434th Air Refueling Wing command chief. "This is an excellent opportunity for senior NCOs because it will help them learn key skills in team building as well as give them tools in practical applications of leadership." The course is built around nine different modules, said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Jackman, 434th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. The sections will focus on leadership and trust, teamwork, communication, creativity, negotiation and conflict resolution, career progression, motivation, recognition and leadership planning. "These topics are designed to not only provide senior NCOs with affirmation with the skills they already know but provide them with tools in their tool kit that help them deal with more contemporary issues," added Chief Jackman, who has been a facilitator of the course since its inception in 1998. All of these things lead to senior NCOs move from the tactical level, which is leading themselves and being the doer, to the operational realm, which is leading and working through others, he said. Chief Rogowski stated that getting this program to be held at Grissom was no easy task. The base had to apply and be weighed through a selection process before a decision was made to have it here. Other bases applied but only a handful were actually chosen to host the course. "Part of the reason we were selected was due to our central location and our wonderful facilities that can handle this event," said Chief Rogowski. "When (Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Mitchell, 4th Air Force command chief) visited our base, he was impressed with what we had to offer and fully endorsed our hosting the course." Grissom being selected as host for this program allows for several benefits for both the base and its members, stated Chief Jackman. "Because the base is hosting the event, half of the 50 slots are allotted to Grissom personnel," said Chief Rogowski. "These slots are all already filled up and the remaining will go to Airmen from other 4th Air Force bases." "This will bring exposure to Grissom and our people," stated Chief Jackman. "It will be an opportunity to showcase our base and our ability of what we can do." Despite Grissom's slots being filled, Chief Rogowski does not want people to get discouraged from trying to attend one of these cources. "If they can't get in here, they should really try and get in at another base," she said. "The program isn't required, but it is highly encouraged and offers invaluable skills."
