Rhode Island Air National Guard Senior NCO Council Hosts Inaugural Leadership Development Course

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt Janeen Miller
  • 143d AW/PA
22 January 2015, Quonset ANGB, RI - The Rhode Island Air National Guard Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Council conducted its first Leadership Development Course on January 21st 2015 at Quonset Air National Guard Base. The event was held in an attempt to provide the future enlisted leaders of the Rhode Island Air National Guard with the tools they will need to be effective Senior NCO's.

The evening was opened with remarks from Rhode Island Air National Guard Leadership, Brigadier General Mark Jannitto, Deputy Adjutant General, Colonel Arthur Floru, current 143d Airlift Wing Commander and incoming Deputy Chief of Staff, Command Chief Master Sergeant Mike Brady, RIANG Command Chief, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Jose Baltazar, 143d AW Command Chief. Attendees were Technical Sergeants and Master Sergeants from the 143d Airlift Wing, 281st Combat Communications Squadron, 102nd Network Warfare Squadron, and Joint Force Headquarters-RI who either volunteered to attend or were chosen by their command to attend the seminar. Following the opening remarks the training began with the foundation of the Enlisted Airman, the "Little Brown Book." Chief Baltazar stressed the importance of Air Force Instruction 36-2618, otherwise known as, the Little Brown Book, and explained how he uses it and how all attendees can use it in their tool box.

Senior Master Sgt Brian Robitaille, 143d Fuels Management Flight Section Chief, and Chief Lori Casucci, former State Command Chief and currently the RIANG Military Personnel Management Officer, briefed on the importance of written communication such as email etiquette, awards and recognition, disciplinary paperwork and the new Enlisted Feedback program. Master Sgt Janeen Miller, 143d Public Affairs Manager and Master Resilience Trainer, briefed about the Comprehensive Airman Fitness Program and followed up with Resilience Skills - Good Listening and Active Constructive Responding. This training focused on how to listen and respond to your fellow Airmen and others, and encourage them to talk to you whether it is good news or bad news. SMSgt Joe Hart, 143d AW Human Resource Advisor and Satellite NCO Academy and Airman Leadership School Facilitator, and MSgt Doug Gavilanez, 143d Civil Engineering Production Controller, closed out the training portion of the seminar with Situational Leadership. MSgt Gavilanez opened with a story from his experience as a manager in the civilian workforce and SMSgt Hart followed up with an explanation of leadership styles and how to apply each style to the situation at hand.

The evening was wrapped up with a call in from the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, Chief James Hotaling. Chief Hotaling thanked the Senior NCO Council for organizing the event and the attendees for taking the time away from their busy schedules to attend, recognizing that their willingness to attend the Leadership Development Course shows that they are engaged and willing to further their careers and better themselves and their unit. He spoke about the importance of the Air National Guard and its Airmen and our role alongside the Regular Air Force and the Air Force Reserve. He also generously answered questions from the attendees and Senior NCO Council.

All in all, the inaugural Leadership Development Course, hosted by the RIANG Senior NCO Council was a huge success and the Council is looking forward to holding more events of its kind in the future. The men and women of the RIANG thank the Senior NCO Council for their time and effort putting the event together and the Senior NCO council thanks the men and women of the RIANG for their support.