Unique training opportunities for squadron leadership

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bryan Bardwell
  • 48th Component Maintenance Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  More than 30 technical sergeants, senior NCOs, and officers from the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron took part in a unique, first-of-its-kind training event at RAF Lakenheath Jan. 14. The event involved a variety of base support agencies coming together to provide resource management-related training to key squadron leadership. 

The day-long event was initiated by Maj. Tony Lombardo, 48th CMS commander and Chief Master Sgt. Keith Jeffo, 48th CSM chief enlisted manager, so that our flight and section chiefs could receive valuable resource management training that is never formally taught to them nor is a pre-requisite. For example, a new section chief may never have had experience with facilities, budgets and manpower documents, yet they are expected to manage their section's buildings, money and people. 

Maj. Lombardo provided thoughts on what he considers are the five key elements of managing an organization in the Air Force: people, facilities, equipment, readiness and budgeting. 

"As leaders in a maintenance squadron, we know how to get the maintenance done because we train for that from day one," Maj. Lombardo said. "However, we can do better at teaching our key squadron leaders to manage the resources we are charged with. The goal of today's training event is to focus on that weakness and make it one of our strengths." 

The training included a three-hour SafeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone/Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep Safe), which involved a unique look at suicide alertness and was taught by Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas Searle and Master Sgt. Michael Sanders. The training provided the entire squadron's leadership the opportunity to become more alert in identifying the signs of suicide as well as teaching them how to connect at-risk personnel to professional resources. Chaplain Searle said, "With such overwhelmingly positive early reaction, there is great anticipation that SafeTALK will begin to really take hold in our military community. The 48th Fighter Wing has funded a total of 1,000 trainee kits, so interested squadrons may call the chapel to schedule SafeTALK for their members." 

The remainder of the day included training from civil engineering, contracting, finance, manpower, career development, force management, the customer support function of the military personnel section, the Department of Defense's Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS), the AEF Reporting Tool (ART), communications, and finally squadron administration. 

At the end of the day, the squadron invested more than 300 man-hours. Some would wonder if it was truly worthwhile. The overwhelming consensus from those of us who attended the training was that the benefits gained from our new found resource management knowledge was invaluable. The training enabled us to understand the how and why of each support organization, enhanced relationships, and gave us points of contact to use when dealing with future issues and problems. 

Capt. Jim Sattler, the 48th CMS Accessories Flight commander and organizer of the training event stated, "By providing our leadership training in important, non-maintenance areas like facilities, budgets and manpower, not only the squadron benefits, but also the group, wing and larger Air Force." 

As an assistant flight chief, I would highly recommend all flight and section chiefs receive some kind of resource management training regardless of what squadron you are in. Sometimes the school of hard knocks doesn't always give you the best education.