Edwards staff sergeant selects attend NCO Expectation meeting

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On Aug. 15, a 95th Medical Operations Squadron dental technician was waiting for a result that would surely change his Air Force career. 

Senior Airman Armando Zuniga was waiting for the staff sergeant promotion results. He was one of 36,608 senior airmen across the Air Force who tested for the promotion. At 4 p.m., his commander congratulated him - a sign that he is now a staff sergeant select. 

"I felt relieved, shocked and surprised," Airman Zuniga said. 

Airman Zuniga was one of the 70 Edwards senior airmen who will put on the staff sergeant stripes in the near future. 

But accompanying this rank is a much-bigger responsibility. 

With this in mind, Team Edwards held a Noncommissioned Officer Expectation meeting on Aug. 16 at the Conference Center to provide these Airmen an opportunity to see what is in store for them as NCOs. 

"The reason why we want to do this is because when you put on the rank of staff sergeant, you will be facing challenges," said Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, 95th Air Base Wing command chief. "You will have a new mission." 

New to the noncommissioned officer rank, Airman Zuniga said the expectation meeting gave him a little foundation to work with. 

"I think it was a good overview," he said. 

Senior Master Sgt. David Johnson, 410th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, presented the NCO Charge to the Airmen. 

"Basically, the NCO Charge will tell you what your duties and responsibilities are as an NCO," Sergeant Johnson said. 

Chief Master Sgt. David Gilmore, 95th Medical Group superintendent, talked about the different organizations that NCOs can join. 

"When joining an organization, you also have to maintain balance with what you do," Chief Gilmore said. "You can not be involved with everything and give it justice." 

He also pointed out the different things these organizations perform for the enlisted Airmen's welfare. These organizations include Air Force Sergeants Association and the Middle-Tier Association. 

He also provided insight about having effective communication between Airmen and their supervisor. 

"When you deliver a message, make sure your Airmen get it," Chief Gilmore said. "We are in a business that when a message is not received, it will affect a lot of people." 

The Airmen also received information about using their potential to succeed, leading by example, accountability for their actions and taking care of the Airmen's welfare. 

"I am excited to be an NCO," Airman Zuniga said. "I will be learning a lot. It will have some challenges but I have support from my NCOs here. I will look to them for support and hopefully, I will be a good NCO."