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Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th Airlift Wing command chief, left, shakes hands with Tech. Sgt. Jacob Dunn, Defense Courier Station division station chief, during a Senior noncommissioned (SNCO) Induction Ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sep. 1, 2023. The SNCO Induction Ceremony is a long-standing tradition within the Air Force to recognize the achievement of reaching the rank of master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

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Tech. Sgt. Jasmine Kegler, 374th Comptroller Squadron quality assurance NCO in charge, responds to a question during a professional enhancement seminar at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 31, 2023. U.S. and Japan service members who attended the seminar were able to speak with installation senior enlisted leaders and learn about up-and-coming implementations of regulations and practices to their respective Air Forces. They also acquired leadership techniques to apply as they progress to the next level of leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

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Yokota welcomes newest US, JP SNCOs with professional enhancement seminar, induction ceremony

Published Sept. 8, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith
374th Airlift Wing

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

Current and soon-to-be Senior NCO’s stand at attention while reciting the SNCO creed during a SNCO Induction Ceremony. — A formation of current and soon-to-be Senior NCO’s stand at attention to accept the duties of their next enlisted tier as a part of a SNCO Induction Ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sep. 1, 2023. The rank of master sergeant entails moving to a senior-tier position that focuses on managing and mentoring Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

Team Yokota’s newest senior non-commissioned officer selectees from the U.S. Air Force and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) participated in a professional enhancement seminar, Aug. 28 – Sep. 1 at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Participants attended the seminar to learn new skills as they progress to the next level of leadership.

“Once you cross over from technical sergeant to master sergeant, you cross over into a new tier, and with that comes brand new roles and responsibilities,” said Master Sgt. Dezarae Holden, 374th Civil Engineering Squadron Airman Dorm Leader superintendent. “This seminar is a prerequisite for being able to attend the SNCO Induction Ceremony and gives these leaders new skills to put in their tool bags as they accept their new responsibilities.”

Senior Master Sgt. Kyle Rollins speaks with U.S. Airmen and Koku Jieitai attending the SNCO Professional enhancement seminar. — Senior Master Sgt. Kyle Rollins, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department deputy fire chief, speaks with U.S. Airmen and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) during a five-day professional enhancement seminar at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 31, 2023. The seminar was held for future and current U.S. Air Force and JASDF master sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

Service members who attended the seminar were able to speak with leadership and learn about up-and-coming implementations of new regulations and practices to the Air Force. They also acquired leadership techniques to apply to their new positions.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to refresh the leadership skills that we learned in the Noncommissioned Officer Academy and in Airman Leadership School,” said Tech. Sgt. Chazworth Waller, 730th Air Mobility Squadron Passenger Terminal NCO in charge. “This seminar has taught us new leadership styles and helped us understand today’s changes in our respective Air Forces as well as the objectives of the U.S.-Japan alliance. As things change and adapt, it helps us become better leaders, and I’ve taken a lot from the course.”