Junior NCOs exposed to AMCs big picture during Phoenix Stripe Published April 19, 2005 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Forty-three staff and technical sergeants from around the world met with Air Mobility Commands top officer and enlisted leaders during a one-week conference here April 4-8.Phoenix Stripe, one of the programs brought about during the 1999 initiative Year of the Enlisted Force, is a highly selective, professional development program geared toward providing the command and Air Forces up and coming staff and technical sergeants with a big picture overview of how AMC operates at the headquarters level.During the conference, the commands senior most leaders, or heavy hitters as one of the conference coordinators stated, briefed attendees about their responsibilities and respective directorates.According to Jim Domina, a member of the AMC Commanders Action Group and one of the coordinators of the conference, Phoenix Stripe is a relatively obscure conference.Unless youve sent one of your troops to a previous conference, know someone who attended, or attended yourself, you probably wont know about it, he said.I knew absolutely nothing about Phoenix Stripe, but after I was selected to attend, I hoped to get a clearer understanding of AMC and the role my job and unit have in the big scheme of things, said Staff Sgt. LaShawndra Maloney, unit training manager for the 305th Logistics Readiness Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J., whose flight superintendent selected her to attend.The program is an AMC program, and Im from Air Combat Command, so I didnt really know anything about it, said Tech. Sgt. Edward Pineda, of the 644th Information Operations Group, Detachment 5, at the Pentagon. I did, however, expect to learn about AMC and get perspectives of its senior leadership, as well as learn about the challenges and concerns that its NCOs are facing.Sergeants Maloney and Pineda and 41 other attendees were briefed by colonels and generals, including Gen. John W. Handy, AMC commander, who set aside time to meet with those he called the superior example of todays Airmen. Each briefer gave an overview of their directorates role in the AMC mission and then fielded questions from the junior NCOs.The face-to-face time between the NCOs and senior leaders is what both attendees and briefers consider the best part of the twice-a-year conference. Rarely do junior enlisted members get the chance to interact with senior leaders, and even less frequent is the opportunity general officers get to spend time with those working in the trenches. For that and other reasons, General Handy focused on the subject of diversity to the Total Force group of NCOs comprising active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen.Often times, I get asked the questions, What do I need to do to be better? or What do you look for in an NCO? One answer is diversity, because diversity is what leaders look for in all our Airmen, said General Handy.The general emphasized that as leaders and NCOs, the attendees need to think about diversity when making people decisions.Leaders can often make the mistake of hiring people who are like clones of themselves. In doing so, they might miss someone who is an exceptional person with tremendous talent and skills.Our diversity is what makes us strong, he said.Hearing General Handy speak and getting the opportunity to ask direct questions made an immediate impact on attendees. Some of the significant questions were right on target: like how the stand up of the Contingency Response Wings at McGuire AFB and Travis AFB, Calif., will enhance the mission, what the long-range affect of A-76 will have on the Air Force, or how C-130 units will operate following the grounding or flying restrictions placed on numerous aircraft after cracks were found in the center wing box.The generals response to these questions gave attendees a perspective they didnt have before.I think all of us would like to be king for a day, said Staff Sgt. Robert Cordell, a C-130 E/H loadmaster instructor for the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Some of the decisions that are made at the top levels are not necessarily understood at the lower levels. This opportunity has allowed me to access the minds of those at the top. Now I can see first hand where and why the policies are made and what motivated them to be made.An all-star lineup from the headquarters directorates, including a session with 18th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. William Welser III and a tour of the Tanker Airlift Control Center filled the conference agenda.Because 18th AF is AMCs warfighting command, one of the first things General Welser addressed was deployments; specifically he asked how many of the attendees had deployed. Nearly every hand went up.Everyone should want to deploy because we are a country at war, said General Welser. You are all warfighters. I dont care what your job is, youre all warfighters.He went on to say that AMC has become very focused on how to war fight.There are people in this world who are free because of what you do, he said. I dont know whats next, but I know youll do it well.Before General Welsers time with the NCOs concluded, he drove home the point of how vital NCOs are in todays Air Force.This command changes on a dime, like it did to provide tsunami relief, and its the NCOs who are making history every day, he said. Todays staff and technical sergeants are doing what technical and master sergeants did when I was a second lieutenant. I want you to get out of your comfort zone, and challenge yourselves.Besides briefings from senior officers, attendees were also treated to time with AMC Command Chief Master Sergeant Michael Kerver, and two panels of chief master sergeants and first sergeants. The senior enlisted members talked about fitness, promotions, education, and career broadening, but the common message was about what it takes to be successful.I try to create an environment where you can be successful, Chief Kerver told the sergeants. Im asked all the time what the biggest challenge we have facing the enlisted corps, and my answer is always the same. Its having the right leadership, at the right time, in the right place, and that hasnt changed since I enlisted in 1976.Leadership is always the difference when you look at the quality, success, and even the failure of its enlisted force, he said. As supervisors, you need to know and understand the differences in your Airmen, both the good and the ugly. Keep your eyes open, and care about the people you work with and are close to.Like previous briefers, Chief Kerver offered some advice to tomorrows senior NCOs.Keep yourself motivated and energized for your troops, he said. What ever youre asked to do, take it to the next level. Im successful as a chief because of my ability to surround myself with successful people. So if youre putting together a team, look for the best to join you.Chief Kerver also spoke about taking care of subordinates.Part of being a leader is giving your troops a vision. As a supervisor, you need to see where the Airmen need to be, and then lead them to it, he said.Whether spending time with general officers, senior enlisted leaders, fellow NCOs or visiting the TACC, the Phoenix Stripe conference will not be quickly forgotten.The highlight of this conference has to be gaining the understanding that General Handy is very passionate and has a sincere concern for the enlisted core, especially the staff and technical sergeants, said Sergeant Maloney. I hope to bring back to my coworkers a new sense of motivation, leadership, excitement, dedication and commitment, and to remind them that the Air Force depends upon every individual bringing something to the mission to make it successful.One of the best parts was meeting the sharp NCOs who attended the conference, added Sergeant Pineda. They are the future leaders of the Air Force.The next Phoenix Stripe conference is scheduled for October. For more information on nominating eligible staff and technical sergeants, contact your local wing commanders support staff. Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821