News

Maintence top NCOs lead by example, and then some

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  There's a new vision taking root at the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, one that is challenging its leaders to scrap business as usual practices of old for a new vision that makes every Reservist a vital player in the mission. Simply put, the top three enlisted ranks have taken a pledge to lead by example.

For the past six months, members of the 446th AMXS Top Three have been adopting creative ways to make themselves and their work more visible to the Airmen serving under them. Additionally, they've been volunteering within their organization for programs such as the 446th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Care & Share program, which helps Airmen in need. And, they've been supporting the local community, volunteering time and resources to charities, such as Habitat for Humanity.

"When our Reservists see us signing up for things like this, that's when they get inspired," said Master Sgt. Frank Jensen, a section chief with the 446th AMXS. "We're not just pushing it down to the Airmen."

Indeed, the renewed focus is opening up the lines of communication between the top three and the bottom six enlisted ranks, and promoting a sense of community and belonging.

"Our goal throughout has been to increase the overall efficiency of our organization and reinvigorate the top three," said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Meyer, 446th AMXS superintendent.

Chief Meyer and other senior leaders were struck this summer by a sense that their top three did not have enough visibility with junior Airmen. He therefore helped convene a steering committee of eight senior Reservists and challenged them to brainstorm positive activities for the top three to tackle with the goal of leading by example.

"We decided to take action to support the local community, and to create and support programs within our own organization that our Airmen can get behind," said Chief Meyer. "We're getting involved with the Pierce County chapter of Habitat for Humanity and we're also getting our feelers out to the Salvation Army and local food banks."

Members of the squadron are also participating in fundraising for the squadron morale fund by volunteering at Safeco Field in Seattle as security personnel during Mariners baseball games. They're also scheduled to work a Pink Floyd concert at the Tacoma Dome later this year.

One of the new internal programs being touted by Chief Meyer is the job shadow, which is getting positive vibes from both senior and junior maintainers. First-term Airmen are being given the opportunity to tag along and watch what their supervisors do, which will ultimately help prepare them for the future.

"This gives them insight to the effect of, 'Hey, I know what's coming with that stripe,' " said Chief Meyer. "We really think it will help motivate them to complete their professional military education, it will contribute to mission readiness, and it will build a better community."

The squadron's top three are behind their chief. Supervisors say the job shadow program is a great asset to help their Reservists better understand the big picture.

"You take a pipeliner, fresh off seasonal training, and you put him in the expediter truck to see flightline management first-hand -- now that Airman is exposed to the job and can see what kind of position he'll occupy in the future," said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Cherrix, 446th AMXS section chief. "Our message to that Airman is, one day you'll be in this seat and now you won't have to learn when you get to the job. You'll already have that working knowledge."

Younger, less experienced Reservists are receptive to the new ideas.

Senior Airman Tanner Bugger said he wasn't too familiar with the role of the top three when he deployed to (Southwest Asia) earlier this year. But thanks to the efforts of his deployed supervisor, Master Sgt. Michael Silva, Airman Bugger said he came away with a better understanding of how the top three get involved in critical programs like flightline safety, thereby setting a good example for junior Reservists like himself.

"We actually saw substantive changes during the deployment that were permanent solutions to problems, not temporary changes that only lasted a week or two," said Airman Bugger, a native of Centerville, Utah. "Now I know what to expect from the top three."

Chief Meyer said he's already getting sparks for new ideas and new programs from his Reservists... ideas that will help contribute to better mission understanding and more unit cohesiveness. He's confident these ideas will inspire his senior NCOs to continue to lead by example.

"We want our motto to be: What can the top three do for you?" said the chief.