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From the first moment an Airman raises their hand to take the Oath of
Enlistment, leaders in the Air Force look for those who will continue to raise
their hand.
During a recent Paul W. Airey NCO Academy graduation, Senior Master Sgt. Angela
Blue, 1st Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, spoke to graduates about personal
development and walking the line as a leader.
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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. (SMS) Angela Blue, 1st Maintenance
Squadron first sergeant, speaks to Paul W. Airey NCO
Academy students during their graduation December 20, 2017. During
her speech, Blue spoke to graduates about personal development and
walking the line as a leader. SMS Angela Blue is a an Air
Force Combat Action Medal and a Purple Heart recipient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dustin Mullen)
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“If they are here, they are already leaders,” Blue said. “They are the subject
matter experts at their jobs and they have already been supervising Airmen. This
class is required to become a senior NCO. This isn’t the basics, it gives
graduates a little more of a voice and the confidence needed during
development.”
Blue is an Air Force Combat Action Medal and a Purple Heart recipient. She has
also been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Combat Action Badge and Army
Combat Medical Badge.
“I know that past experiences have made me stronger as a leader,” Blue said. “I
am a firm believer that if you want to get somewhere you need to raise your
hand. It doesn’t matter what you are doing or where you are going, if you want
to open that next door, you need to raise your hand for the door in front of
you.”
The Airey NCO Academy’s course is designed to develop future leaders and prepare
NCOs to step into the ranks of Senior NCOs. The course teaches communication
strategies with subordinates and fellow leaders.
“In order to develop leaders, you have to let them lead,” Blue said. “You have
to give them boundaries, but let them walk that line sometimes. As a leader, you
must be truthful and let others know when they are slipping. Truly good leaders
can take that criticism and build upon it. You have to build people up by
telling them the truth.”
As the Air Force moves forward into the future, good leaders will be required to
step up and fill the roles of those currently serving. At every step of the way,
investments in developing leaders will ensure the Air Force’s ability to fly,
fight and win.
“For leaders, you want someone who is going to make a decision, they aren’t
going to dance around the truth,” Blue said. “They will always have the best
interests of their subordinates and their team at heart. It’s important for them
to be completely transparent, because the future is unpredictable. We need
leaders who are transparent and truthful, in every level of leadership.”
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dustin Mullen
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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