SMSGT PROMOTION BOARD PREP
Complacent airman have a tendency to view their membership in the Air National Guard
as "just a job." What are some ideas you have to instill military pride, tradition and build
a sense of esprit de corps? - Answers- · ANG - mostly part-time for members
· AD - live and work on the same installation
· Offer opportunities - after work activities, weekend activities, and activities for families -
Bowling, softball, cookouts, hikes, trips or anything that involves families.
· We have resources at D-M, let's use them. Doing activities away from work often help
develop traditions, builds the Esprit de Corps. Once you do that, having pride in your
organization will follow.
Describe your training experience and skills as they apply to SMSgt position. -
Answers- Police Officer - 27yrs
Military - 17 yrs
Always being trained and developed for the next level of responsibilities
Numerous supervisor training as a police officer and detective and added positions of
responsibilities. (Police Supervision, OIC and Field Training Officer)
Experience - many different personalities to achieve common goals (Police - arrest
suspects, help those in need, often in tense situations/Military accomplish the mission)
I have continued my leadership training by completing all required PME, attended a
Senior NCO leadership course at Luke AFB and completed SNCO Joint PME I.
On the national level I took an active role as a liaison to other paralegal offices, being a
mentor, SME on running a legal office, and an overall resource to other legal offices.
(past 6 yrs)
Senior Paralegal Manager of Professional Development to the Air Force Judge
Advocate School. All my experiences and the skills I have developed have prepared me
for the responsibilities associated with the new rank.
An effective SNCO is one who knows how to capitalize on strengths, as well as
weaknesses. What do you believe is your weakest leadership trait, and how are you
working to make this weakness a future strength? - Answers- · Democratic Leadership
Style - everyone's input
· Want and love the challenges given to me - hard to relinquish
· Adage you want it done right, do it yourself
· Turn this weakness into strength by giving my people responsibility to perform their job
and make their own mistakes.
· They in turn make mistakes and learn to overcome obstacles, which makes them
better airman and future leaders.
One of your responsibilities will be to recommend individuals for leadership roles within
the squadron. How would you mentor and prepare workers to become future leaders? -
Answers- · "I"s dotted and "t"s crossed. What I mean is that this airman would should be
working on getting their PME done and any additional training they may require.
Encourage additional leadership courses.
, To be an effective SMSgt you will be required to communicate with others to accomplish
the mission. As a leader in your section, what would you do to encourage effective
communication? - Answers- · Better understanding of how my people learn
· Good listener first - not effective communicator if don't understand what you are
hearing
· I would expect everyone to be at ease with sharing their ideas and/or suggestions.
There is no such thing as a stupid idea.
· I am expected to merge my team member's talents and skills. How can I do that if I am
not able to listen to their ideas and suggestions?
· Communicate with them to understand what drives their motivation and inspire them to
be creative by listening to them.
· They should work on being a leader within my organization. Encouraging they ask
questions.
· Allow them to make mistakes and resolve issues that arise.
· Be creative and be restrained in their creativity.
· Giving them more responsibilities within the section. Responsibilities that would further
develop their leadership traits.
Once they have met my expectations, I would make the recommendation they for
leadership role outside the section.
As a new SMSgt, you are approached by one of your supervisors requiring advice on
how to deal with a young airman found sleeping on the job twice in one week. (Note:
The airman had a baby 3 months ago; is having trouble adjusting parenthood; is having
difficulty paying the bills and has taken a second job working the night shift at the local
grocery store) what advice would you give your supervisor? - Answers- · Speak to the
Airman to get a good understanding of their situation, married, single parent situation.
· There may be another reason the airman is tired and having to work two jobs.
· Research what organizations are out there that can help the airman in these
situations.
· Maybe seek some financing counseling that would be available for free to the airman.
· Depending on the status of the airman, maybe work on a getting them a QSI or time
off award.
· Maybe changing the hours the airman works, if possible or finding some low cost child
care that would give the airman some much needed rest.
· Contact the Chaplain or family readiness for more options.
· Because of them sleeping on the job, a letter of counseling, or an MFR of your
conversation with the member.
There are many different styles of leadership. Each style is considered effective when it
gets others to accomplish a common goal. Please tell us about a recent project/program
that you led? What style of leadership did you implement to complete the task and how
effective was it? - Answers- · Democratic Style Leadership
· Each drill we try to get together to brainstorm ideas for self-improvement and
accomplishing the mission.
· In this instance I led the group in further developing our self-inspection checklist
Complacent airman have a tendency to view their membership in the Air National Guard
as "just a job." What are some ideas you have to instill military pride, tradition and build
a sense of esprit de corps? - Answers- · ANG - mostly part-time for members
· AD - live and work on the same installation
· Offer opportunities - after work activities, weekend activities, and activities for families -
Bowling, softball, cookouts, hikes, trips or anything that involves families.
· We have resources at D-M, let's use them. Doing activities away from work often help
develop traditions, builds the Esprit de Corps. Once you do that, having pride in your
organization will follow.
Describe your training experience and skills as they apply to SMSgt position. -
Answers- Police Officer - 27yrs
Military - 17 yrs
Always being trained and developed for the next level of responsibilities
Numerous supervisor training as a police officer and detective and added positions of
responsibilities. (Police Supervision, OIC and Field Training Officer)
Experience - many different personalities to achieve common goals (Police - arrest
suspects, help those in need, often in tense situations/Military accomplish the mission)
I have continued my leadership training by completing all required PME, attended a
Senior NCO leadership course at Luke AFB and completed SNCO Joint PME I.
On the national level I took an active role as a liaison to other paralegal offices, being a
mentor, SME on running a legal office, and an overall resource to other legal offices.
(past 6 yrs)
Senior Paralegal Manager of Professional Development to the Air Force Judge
Advocate School. All my experiences and the skills I have developed have prepared me
for the responsibilities associated with the new rank.
An effective SNCO is one who knows how to capitalize on strengths, as well as
weaknesses. What do you believe is your weakest leadership trait, and how are you
working to make this weakness a future strength? - Answers- · Democratic Leadership
Style - everyone's input
· Want and love the challenges given to me - hard to relinquish
· Adage you want it done right, do it yourself
· Turn this weakness into strength by giving my people responsibility to perform their job
and make their own mistakes.
· They in turn make mistakes and learn to overcome obstacles, which makes them
better airman and future leaders.
One of your responsibilities will be to recommend individuals for leadership roles within
the squadron. How would you mentor and prepare workers to become future leaders? -
Answers- · "I"s dotted and "t"s crossed. What I mean is that this airman would should be
working on getting their PME done and any additional training they may require.
Encourage additional leadership courses.
, To be an effective SMSgt you will be required to communicate with others to accomplish
the mission. As a leader in your section, what would you do to encourage effective
communication? - Answers- · Better understanding of how my people learn
· Good listener first - not effective communicator if don't understand what you are
hearing
· I would expect everyone to be at ease with sharing their ideas and/or suggestions.
There is no such thing as a stupid idea.
· I am expected to merge my team member's talents and skills. How can I do that if I am
not able to listen to their ideas and suggestions?
· Communicate with them to understand what drives their motivation and inspire them to
be creative by listening to them.
· They should work on being a leader within my organization. Encouraging they ask
questions.
· Allow them to make mistakes and resolve issues that arise.
· Be creative and be restrained in their creativity.
· Giving them more responsibilities within the section. Responsibilities that would further
develop their leadership traits.
Once they have met my expectations, I would make the recommendation they for
leadership role outside the section.
As a new SMSgt, you are approached by one of your supervisors requiring advice on
how to deal with a young airman found sleeping on the job twice in one week. (Note:
The airman had a baby 3 months ago; is having trouble adjusting parenthood; is having
difficulty paying the bills and has taken a second job working the night shift at the local
grocery store) what advice would you give your supervisor? - Answers- · Speak to the
Airman to get a good understanding of their situation, married, single parent situation.
· There may be another reason the airman is tired and having to work two jobs.
· Research what organizations are out there that can help the airman in these
situations.
· Maybe seek some financing counseling that would be available for free to the airman.
· Depending on the status of the airman, maybe work on a getting them a QSI or time
off award.
· Maybe changing the hours the airman works, if possible or finding some low cost child
care that would give the airman some much needed rest.
· Contact the Chaplain or family readiness for more options.
· Because of them sleeping on the job, a letter of counseling, or an MFR of your
conversation with the member.
There are many different styles of leadership. Each style is considered effective when it
gets others to accomplish a common goal. Please tell us about a recent project/program
that you led? What style of leadership did you implement to complete the task and how
effective was it? - Answers- · Democratic Style Leadership
· Each drill we try to get together to brainstorm ideas for self-improvement and
accomplishing the mission.
· In this instance I led the group in further developing our self-inspection checklist
