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Phoenix Stripe helps prepare our future mobility leaders

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. David E. Spector
  • Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Mobility Command
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Every year, approximately 90 junior NCOs, including Guard and Reserve, mid-level government civilians, and at least one staff sergeant or technical sergeant from each of our other major commands participate in a conference known as Phoenix Stripe. This group learns about Air Mobility Command with a focus on key leadership practices.

Phoenix Stripe began under the visionary leadership of former AMC Commander, Gen. Charles T. Robertson, Jr., and former AMC Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth F. Van Holbeck, in 1999. The program was designed as an opportunity to showcase AMC and give our junior NCOs and equivalent-level civilian supervisors a look at the inner workings of the command.

Initially, Phoenix Stripe was only open to AMC-assigned staff sergeants and technical sergeants who were in their second enlistment. The initial intent was to select our best and brightest NCOs and give them an opportunity to "re-blue" so they would be excited about re-enlisting and staying with us longer. We also wanted to do our part to better educate our Airmen -- showing them why staying in the Air Force was beneficial...connecting them to the mission so they would fully understand why their roles were so significant to AMC's success...and offering them senior leader perspectives to help our Airmen develop the big picture.

Next, as the curriculum developed, we hoped those attending would carry the message back to their home base and help educate their peers on "how" and "why" things within the command happen the way they do. We knew by orienting them and connecting them to senior leadership, we would help eliminate or minimize misunderstanding or confusion in the field.

Today attendance is highly selective. We begin with supervisors and unit commanders nominating only the best candidates. Selected NCOs and civilians must have less than 13 years in service when nominated. Candidates must possess exceptional leadership skills, exemplary military bearing and must also meet Air Force physical appearance and fitness standards.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the conference delivers "professional" military knowledge from AMC general and senior officers, as well as senior enlisted and civilian leaders. In turn, Phoenix Stripe gives senior leadership a peek into the hearts and minds of what our front-line supervisors are thinking about and issues they're working in the field.

The Air Mobility Command staff, under the leadership of General Johns, provides operational briefings along with leadership lessons taught by two chief master sergeant seminar facilitators-mentors. Lessons on leadership, taught from the book titled, "Lincoln on Leadership," by Donald T. Phillips, are intertwined with relevant and current examples of leadership in the work environment and advice from top level guest speakers.

At the end of the conference, Phoenix Stripe attendees are armed with an increased level of understanding of the global mobility mission, some new tools for their leadership tool bag and an appreciation of how they fit into the overall Air Force picture. This proves to be beneficial from the flight line to the front line...from Airmen who work on jet engines to those who audit travel vouchers...from our civilian supervisors to our medics...our Airmen leave with a sense of purpose, sense of belonging and a huge lesson on leadership!