The passage to becoming a SNCO

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrea Salazar
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Forty-five technical sergeants were inducted into the senior enlisted ranks at the annual Senior Non-commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony, Aug. 16, 2013.

"The induction ceremony represents a passage of joining a select group within the Air Force," Master Sgt. Galli Delfin, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of material acquisitions.

Climbing the ranks of the enlisted force becomes more difficult each year. This year's selection rate plummeted from 27.58 percent last year, to 18.71 percent this year, according to the Air Force Personnel Center.

"The selection this year was a lot tougher," Delfin said. "But it does show you those who made it worked hard not only with testing but with having their priorities in-line."

Some of those priorities are education, taking care of people and maintaining a balance in all aspects of your personal life and career, said Master Sgt. Dion Bullock, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron SNCO induction representative.

"Having that balance encompasses how you lead people, how you set the example for people, how you manage your time and the personal side of being a senior NCO," he said. "Having those qualities and priorities is absolutely pivotal toward mission success."

The induction ceremony marks the end of the week-long seminar of various indoctrination classes the inductees attended. Subjects included the manpower process, standards and discipline, counseling and mentoring, team building and motivation. Inductees also learned about ethics, protocol, stress management, military professional writing, the importance of education and Community College of the Air Force initiatives and time management.

"The seminar allowed us to meet and socialize with other inductees," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ginivan, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flightline production expediter. "We helped each other out and had a chance to network and relate with each other -- overall a great experience."