Senior NCO seminar prepares master sergeant selects Published July 23, 2009 By Airmen 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard's newest senior non-commissioned officers attended a seminar July 20-23 preparing them for the responsibilities inherent with serving in the top three ranks for enlisted members. The seminar focused instruction on human relations, career progression, ethical issues, communication, understanding enlisted and officers relationships, and other information to prepare the future senior NCOs. Master Sgt. Ronald Pierce, 82nd Training Wing career assistance advisor, said the seminar is a stepping stone to prepare the master sergeant-selects for their place in the senior NCO tier. "As soon as you put on the master sergeant stripe, expectations are very high," he said. "You see, hear and do things you never thought you would." Sergeant Pierce said it's critical to share information with new master sergeants because it has to be engrained in their minds as senior NCOs. "You can never get enough military knowledge or information on career progression," he said. "Nobody knows everything and you can never get enough practice doing the job." Sergeant Pierce said some Airmen can become focused on their occupation and not as concerned with the military culture as others. "This is exactly what they need," he said. Sergeant Price said just because someone sews on a stripe, it doesn't mean they already know everything, "they have to be exposed to it." Airmen like Tech. Sgt. Penny Gallemore, 82nd TRW NCO in charge of Public Health NCO, said the seminar is an "eye opener." "It helped me get a different mindset," she said. The seminar is preparing the master sergeant selects to take care of their Airmen and guide them throughout their careers, she said. Sergeant Gallemore said the seminar is also important because it puts emphasis on what is expected from senior NCOs.