Many years ago I read that leadership was defined as, “The art of influencing people to accomplish the mission.”  Inherently I find the statement to be true; however, leadership cannot be accomplished without sound and proven leaders.  I have discovered that leaders are made and not born as some suspect and the true attributes of leaders are developed through trial and error, successes and mistakes.  No one, well at least in my opinion, is successful the first time out. 

Leaders are people who do for those who cannot.  They are driven to make the seemingly impossible-possible with sometimes limited resources or time.  Leaders are selfless and give more than just the norm through their time, dedication and commitment usually without personal regard to recognition or accolades.  One of my most favorite sayings is, “Lead from the front even if you are stumbling”.   This is a demonstration of courage as often, people are afraid to set forward and take charge of a given situation.  True leaders take charge!

Leaders also consider the personal and professional development of others.  They mentor, develop, coach and more importantly inspire others towards success.  They are the foundation of success and provide a solid footing for developing followers into future leaders.  Moreover, leaders do not necessarily need to wear a uniform, badge or other distinguishing emblem.  Instead, leaders only need true commitment to help those who can’t.  You may see a young boy assisting and elderly lady with her groceries, a fireman directing his rescue crew towards a burning building, or a Senior Noncommissioned Officer conducting a pep-talk prior a major unit inspection; each one of these is a demonstration of leadership.

I am currently attending the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy and have been fortunate to witness the honing of true leadership first-hand.  Daily I am surrounded by professionals from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard--All senior enlisted but more importantly--ALL LEADERS!  I encourage each reader of this BLOG to find their own leadership niche and develop it to the fullest potential...Don't waste another minute!  Hooah!

The Air Force has changed the HYT level back to pre 2003 levels:

Here is the email excerpt from SMSgt (ret) Robert Price reply to my email concerning the HYT issue.

Thank you Division President Lutzen for the email about the recent Air Force decision to return enlisted high year of tenure limits to their pre-2003 levels.

We're encouraged, however, to hear that the Air Force will continue with existing guidelines for addressing a members' request for an extension of HYT for reasons such as extreme personal hardship or when an extension is clearly in the best interest of the Air Force, to name a few. And, we are glad to hear that the new HYT requirements will not affect the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. We've read (from official sources) and heard that "Airmen opting to transfer their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to family members will still be able to transfer these benefits even if their new HYT dates prevent them from completing the required active-duty service commitments."

We do understand, though, that these HYT extension guidelines and Post-9/11 GI Bill exclusions (alone) do not fully address the concerns voiced by you and others in the enlisted ranks.

As the "voice of the enlisted," you can be assured that AFSA will share this issue and other enlisted concerns with Air Force leadership. 

Thank you for your continued support of AFSA.

Every chapter spends a fair amount of time recruiting new members, but has anyone really sat down and thought about what sells AFSA? What is it about our association that makes one person pay $25, and the next walk away?

Our association works very hard for each demographic, whether it is active duty, reserves, national guard, or retirees. What I have found to be most effective, is focusing on the hot-topics that matter most to my audience. For example, when I am selling AFSA at the First Term Airman Center, I focus on pay raises and education, the quality of their dormitories and dining facilities. They need to know that membership has rewards, such as being able to state they are a member of AFSA when their first EPR is written, or their below-the-zone package. And if they take advantage of the volunteer opportunities our AAC provides, they will have a huge leg-up on their competition.

Conversely, our SrA and young NCOs at Airman Leadership School need to focus on setting a good example, meeting the intent of the Enlisted Force Structure, and staying informed so their Airman can and will rely on them for information regarding their benefits. They need to know that leadership opportunities exist in the chapter, and that any member can become the president, not just SNCOs.

You get the picture without me going on to SNCO, AFRC, and retiree topics. Just find out what matters most, and let AFSA sell itself. No one needs high-pressure tactics or glamorous stories, just the power of AFSA's impact on Capitol Hill!

New Division 89 Coin is in and it is outstanding, see me at the conference to get your coin

HOOAH!

This past week I had the privilege to take my place as a student in the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy in sunny Montgomery, Alabama.   For me this is a welcome break from the snowy hills and fields of Offutt AFB; however it is more than just that—it is a chance to refocus on what we are truly here for…Service.

Understandably, the curriculum with cover additional topics such as Profession of Arms, communication, physical conditioning and joint war fighting concepts but the true backbone of this course, in my opinion, is to collectively share experiences, “reblue” ourselves and focus on building communication networks with fellow SNCOs to better help us hone our service capacities.

Dictionary.com defines service as, “an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service”; to me this simply means “to do for those who can’t”.  Those of us who have the honor and privilege to wear the uniform of the United States Air Force provide an invaluable service day after day, 24/7—for every man, woman, and child fortunate to be called American.  Additionally, our warriors in blue are deployed worldwide providing aide, humanitarian relief and security to our friends and allies who need assistance.  Our determination, dedication and commitment remain as staunch as ever.

Our dedication to service should not end at the conclusion of our duty day nor following deployments.  It must be consistently tested and demonstrated 365 days a year both personally and professionally.  As members of the Air Force Sergeants Association we demonstrate our commitment to service and overall protection and betterment of the enlisted corps at our home chapters as do our leaders in Washington.  It is this continuum of service that provides the foundation for solid organizations.

Brothers and sisters of AFSA, I encourage you to perform a “gut check” and check your vector regarding service.  If it is off than dial it back in—if it is on, then use those principles to inspire a peer to do the same.  Collectively we must embrace service as a core bedrock principle of life for if we don’t do it—who will…?

SMSgt Matthew “Mad Dog” Becker

AFSA Chapter 984

365 days ago many of us were looking forward to see what the new year, 2009, would bring.  Some of us wished for riches, to loose weight, quit smoking or take a long awaited trip.  However,  some us in AFSA leadership positions were looking forward to growing our chapters, particpating in base and community events, attaining “High-Flyer” or “Sky-High” status, attending our Division or Interational PACs or just “doing good things” for our chapters.  Looking back on 2009, how do you feel you did—how do you feel your chapter did?

As a recent transplant from European Division 16 to the Midwest Division 89, I have noticed a vast difference in AFSA participation and leadership.  Granted, overseas we were more “captive” where as we shared a common theme (Being away from home) and thus I believe we “gelled” better as an AFSA team.  Stateside it seems it is a bit different.  Everyone seems to have a different drive, other things to do and a true “Team AFSA” spirit seems to be a challenge.  As we prepare to hold our annual elections, it is of paramount importance that we select the leaders who are that “LEADERS” and who have AFSA’s best intentions at heart.

Friends, we need to rally together and forge a solid T.E.A.M in 2010!  We are embracing a new year, a new decade and yes—a new challenge.  I encourage each member to “Sign a Friend—In 2010”!  Perhaps this can be our International battle cry.  If every member signed just one new person, we would double our strenghh, our voice—overnight.  Just think of how powerful we would be then!  Our mamouth stancem giant voice and heavy presence in Washington would ensure that our pay and benefits remain as good if not better than they were in the past. 

AFSA Leaders, I encourage each one of you to step-up and take charge of your chapters.  If you need help, let me know!  If I can’t help you, I know people who know people and collectively we will make your dream a reality.  I encourage each chapter to start a website if they don’t already have one.  Check out www.afsachapters.com and here you can start your 2010 with a FREE AFSA Website for your chapter.

My brothers and sisters in AFSA I wish you all the best of success in the coming year!  Again, please embrace my battle cry of “Sign a friend—In 2010” and lets double our strength today!  Are you up for the challenge!

HOORAH!

Matthew R. “Mad Dog” Becker

Division 89

AFSA Chapter 984