Providing feedback: Preparing the next generation of Airmen Published Nov. 28, 2011 By Chief Master Sgt. Cindy George 419th Fighter Wing Command Chief HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- You know the feeling: it is late Sunday afternoon on a unit training assembly weekend. You're exhausted from a long day, and almost ready to sign out. All you're thinking about is getting home, relaxing and getting a good night's sleep before you have to go back to your civilian job Monday morning. Suddenly you realize you need to get a feedback session done on one of your Airmen. It would be so easy to tell yourself you'll get to it next month, but you know deep down that you probably won't. Next UTA you'll be gone on an annual tour. After that, you'll be heavily involved with your squadron's next unit compliance inspection. Then there's another operational readiness exercise on the horizon. There just doesn't seem like there will be enough time to get everything done, let alone provide performance feedback to your Airman. It is precisely at this point where you will earn your money as an enlisted leader, and more importantly, as a mentor. Today's Airmen are intelligent, well-educated and our most valuable resource. Feedback sessions let them know how they are doing and what your expectations are for them in the future. Performance feedback also enables our Airmen to know how they look in their leader's eyes, and what their strengths and weaknesses are so that they can have an opportunity to make improvements to their performance. Feedback sessions are also important for the mentor or leader. Not only is it a tool to discuss job performance, it is also a way to get to know your people, perhaps create a career progression roadmap of what courses they need to complete, and even identify problems your Airmen may be encountering in their work or at home. In that respect, performance feedback is a way to develop a trusting relationship and become that "unrivaled leader" we so often speak of. Sometimes people forget that as Air Force Reservists, we must plan, train and take care of a number of issues just the same as our active duty counterparts; our only difference is that we have a mere two days a month to do it in. We also have to plan Reserve duties around our civilian jobs and family functions. Balancing this "triad" is difficult at times, especially for our younger folks who might be attending college, religious affiliations, or have other personal things going on. Therefore, as leaders, it is our responsibility to set aside the time to sit down with our Airmen, discuss their performance, and give them a fair assessment. This will help enable them to reach their full potential. So before you go home from the UTA, make time for that performance feedback session. And when you are finally home, relaxing and catching your breath from the UTA, you can tell yourself that you did one of the most important jobs an enlisted leader can do. You provided feedback, mentored and prepared the next generation of Airmen. Stay connected -- Join the 419th on Facebook and YouTube