COMMENTARY: Being a future leader starts today Published March 26, 2010 By Master Sgt. Kathy Hale 419th Fighter Wing Historian HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- Young Airmen are the bright future of the Air Force Reserve, which is why it's important for today's leaders to pass on knowledge and skills. We need to encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders and leave a legacy they can build upon. At a recent 419th Fighter Wing Top Three meeting, I asked my fellow SNCOs to consider these questions: Were they currently mentoring or training someone to fill their shoes? Would their units suffer if they deployed or accepted another position? I then asked that they find three people they could mentor and train to follow in their footsteps. We need to live by a conviction to mentor junior members, so that any time we leave a position, we can do so knowing there is someone to take the wheel. This is a SNCO's duty and privilege. We must also encourage younger members to proactively reach for higher goals. A few years ago, while attending a Leadership Development Program graduation for three exceptional NCOs, I asked them when they were planning to put on master sergeant. They were surprised, having just put on their fifth stripe. Still I asked, "When will you put on master?" One of them quickly calculated a date and said it aloud. I replied, "That's great! Now start acting like one." Some might say that they were just learning to be technical sergeant. But by graduation, it was too late to "learn" that. It was time to act, to be responsible and to take on the duties of the next rank. We need to teach younger Airmen not to wait for the next promotion to come to them. Instead, we should encourage them to make themselves ready for it. Learn the ropes. Find a mentor and emulate what they do today! To every Airman, NCO or SNCO reading this today, the only thing you should be waiting for to promote is time in grade. If a position opens up and you have time in grade but your academy is not complete, or your PT scores are unsatisfactory, or your CCAF is not done, you will be disappointed. Take care of yourself! Complete your requirements and always be prepared for that next stripe. You never know when the opportunity may come, and it will pass you by if you're not ready. We as SNCOs need to be setting the example for our junior NCOs and Airmen. We need to show them we care. Remain engaged and in contact--not only via e-mail, but by good ole fashion face-to-face conversation. It's those little 60-second conversations that help them get to know you, that let them know you're there and you care about them. It may also help inspire them to contribute to our wing, and to feel happy and at home in our 419th family.