LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Three Airmen from the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing shared their bluesuit perspectives with 35 Virginia Tech seniors enrolled in the Air Force reserve Officer Training Program, during a visit to the Blackburg, Va., campus March 3 and 4.
Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Dryden, 27th Intelligence Squadron chief enlisted manager, Staff Sgt. Shaun Chaplin, a systems administrator, and Airman 1st Class Jordan Smith, a command and control operator, made the five-hour trip to speak with the students about their expectations of junior officers and discuss ways to develop their Air Force future.
"I was excited about this opportunity because I did the same thing at Florida State University three years ago, which worked out really well," Chief Dryden said. "As lieutenants, they'll have to reach out and touch all the enlisted ranks."
Every year, Air Force ROTC cadets in their senior year learn about the relationship between enlisted Airmen and the officers that lead them. An exchange of information with young Airmen, noncommissioned officers and chief master sergeants can be beneficial to new lieutenants.
After receiving an invitation from Lt. Col. Jordan Davis, Professor of Aerospace Studies at Virginia Tech, Chief Dryden assembled her team.
"I hand-picked Sergeant Chaplin and Airman Smith because they are two of my squadron's star performers," she said. "They stand out because of their speaking ability, maturity and professionalism."
The two-day visit began with a casual dinner at a local restaurant which allowed cadets to ask questions they may not normally ask.
"The Airmen did an amazing job representing the Air Force and our core values in front of these future leaders," Chief Dryden said. "I was very proud of them."
On day two, the Airmen conducted a classroom panel discussion, offering an enlisted view of officership. Each Airman shared a personal experience and gave the cadets a preview of what to expect as Air Force officers.
Airman Smith talked about how officers need to set positive examples, because they often leave lasting impressions on Airmen serving under officers for the first time. He told the cadets he likes junior officers who remain calm under pressure because it helps him stay focused and get the job done.
"I was surprised and appreciated how eager the cadets were to hear my views on the Air Force," Airman Smith said.
Sergeant Chaplin talked about mistakes some new lieutenants make and shared a personal experience with them. He told the cadets when he was deployed overseas, he worked with a young lieutenant who was never punctual. The junior officer cited losing track of time as her reason.
"Everyone's time is valuable," Sergeant Chaplin said. "Not just the lieutenant's."
Chief Dryden's goal on the trip was to instill a sense of servant leadership, not entitlement leadership, into the officers-in-training.
"I told them they take care of people," she said. "If they take care of the enlisted force, the enlisted force gets the mission done."
The chief was proud how her Airmen shared information, not taught in the classroom, with the cadets.
"We showed them the enlisted corps is well-educated and has a great passion for the Air Force," Chief Dryden said. "I was proud to show the cadets what kind of people they, as future leaders, will have the privilege of leading in today's Air Force."
Colonel Davis said he hoped they would return next year. He said the experience was so valuable he would encourage other professors of aerospace studies to conduct similar panels for their students.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity Lt. Col. Davis gave us," the chief remarked. "Anytime we can reach out and help develop the force at any level, we will."
Sergeant Chaplin agreed.
"I really shaped some views today," the NCO said.