Preparing Pope's newest masters Published Aug. 31, 2006 By By Senior Master Sgt. 43rd Contracting Squadron POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Pope's newest master sergeant selects got some help in their move to Senior NCO status. More than 100 local technical sergeants recently learned they would be promoted to Senior NCO status. These newest SNCOs will be recognized at the SNCO Induction and Banquet Sept. 29 at the Pope Club. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Air Mobility Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Joe Barron. Tickets are limited, so people should reserve their seats as early as possible through their first sergeant. Nearly 50 of them attended the 2006 Senior NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar, Aug. 21 through 24 to prepare them for their future challenge. Master Sgt. Michael Reeves, 43rd Airlift Wing career advisor and his all-volunteer team of senior NCO instructors conducted the seminar in the Community Activities Center ballroom. The seminar focused on building leadership skills by offering instruction in counseling, effective writing and mentorship among other topics. The goal is to provide each new master sergeant with the information that would help them be successful leaders, mentors and supervisors in the future. "We're giving them useful tools that they can take back to the work center and apply as well as a chance to network with peers," said Sergeant Reeves. In addition, the participants in the Senior NCO Induction Seminar received orientation from the first sergeants council, staff judge advocate, area defense council and the Airmen and Family Eeadiness Center. They also got a leadership perspective with several guest speakers including Col. Timothy Zadalis, 43rd Airlift Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Herb Hanson, 43d Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant. Senior NCOs are expected to lead by example, be decisive, accept responsibility and create an atmosphere of teamwork. They are to take care of their people, providing feedback and training and recognizing special achievement. They are expected to be professional in appearance, good communicators and counselors, enforcing standards and maintaining discipline. Pope will pay tribute on a grand scale to its newest master sergeant selects with an Induction Banquet. Team Pope is welcome to come support the future senior enlisted leadership at this banquet.