Staffs, techs find place in Pope organization Published June 5, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Becky J. LaRaia Staff writer POPE AFB -- Technical and staff sergeants have only had a professional organization of their own on Pope for just over a year. The club is called Team 56 and its members meet every third Tuesday at 11:30 at the Community Center to discuss how junior noncommissioned officers can better influence not only the development of the base, but the development of each other. “Many other bases have (junior NCO associations). It was important for Pope to get its junior NCOs involved,” said Tech. Sgt. Alton, Team 56 treasurer. Staff Sgt. Kendra Wilson said the most valuable part of the association with the club is “it puts you right there with other NCOs.” She said most junior NCOs don’t have a lot of interaction with their peers in their duty sections. Sergeant Wilson is vice president of the club and has been involved in Airmen and NCO associations every since she joined the Air Force. This club gives NCOs the chance to network with other junior NCOs, mentor one another, learn of and participate in base activities and participate in professional development opportunities. “We are right in the middle (of the ranks),” said Sergeant Alton. “It’s a pivotal time in our career.” Sergeant Wilson said educating the base’s NCOs about what is available to them professionally is a big responsibility of the club. “I don’t think you can ever learn too much about things that can help me with leadership and mentorship,” said Sergeant Wilson. The club simply offers information about better ways to help junior NCOs help their troops. Some of these professional development activities are enlisted performance report writing classes and managing training records classes. These classes are focused specifically toward responsibilities or situations staff and technical sergeants may encounter, said Sergeant Alton. Team 56 members also have the chance to participate in other activities like the Air Force Personnel Center trip in January. Fifteen Team 56 member’s joined the Company Grade Officers Club on a flight to Randolph AFB, Texas, to meet functional managers and learn more about the personnel center. Members also have the chance to participate in fundraising, community service, marketing and other club committees. The club’s biggest challenge is getting the 500 to 600 junior NCOs on Pope involved and active in the organizations activities. The club has started sending members to co-read the NCO creed for new staff sergeants at wing promotion ceremonies with the command chief master sergeant. The club also sponsors the Leadership Award at Airman Leadership School. Club members are hoping to get staff sergeant selects interested in participating in the club. They are encouraged to join at anytime. Right now the club has 200 paid members, but very few of those are actively involved, according to Sergeant Alton. Membership is $12 a year.