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Warfighter Readiness Starts at Home

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz
  • 14th Flying Training Wing
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  

As Team 14 shifts to the warfighter mindset, one special helping agency steps into the spotlight as a vital link for service members and their families. The Military & Family Readiness Center is where you can find Master Sgt. Matthew Mayo, 14th Force Support Squadron readiness non-commissioned officer in-charge, until his upcoming retirement. Currently, Team 14 is looking for a new RNCO.  

“The position here with the Military & Family Readiness Center as the RNCO, focuses on pre-deployment preparations for service members deploying, filling a short tour or going on temporary duty travel for more than 30 days,” said Mayo. “I focus more on the readiness items that are not necessarily covered in the reporting instructions of the deployment but are vital for the service member and their families such as a Will or Power of Attorney.” 

The MFRC provides families of deployed service members the opportunity to connect with experienced spouses to build resiliency and community support networks. 

“The intent is to bring families together, feed them a good meal and also give spouses a chance to connect with other spouses who are going through a deployment as well,” said Mayo. “I’ve gone on six deployments myself so I know from experience that a spouse can feel very isolated because they're taking care of everything around the house, they're taking care of the kids and so building up the support network for spouses whose member is deployed or on a short tour whatever it might be, is very important.” 

Recently, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David W. Allvin, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi spoke at Columbus Air Force Base to emphasize the need to re-instill a warrior ethos and sense of purpose to be ready for agile combat employment.  

“Really it goes back to making sure that if the service member is good and everything is squared away back home then they will be able to focus and perform their mission better,” said Mayo. “One of the things I’ve talked about the most with deployers, especially if they have a spouse or kids, is to be very intentional about communication and have a communication plan in place whether that’s a weekly facetime chat with the whole family or maybe it’s sending home a card or actually handwriting a letter once a month.” 

Mayo recalled small moments of connection and service to families during his duty as the 14 FSS, MFRC RNCO. 

“I tell everyone that comes, if there's anything your spouse needs, if you need someone to come over and mow your lawn or shovel the driveway let me know and I’ll do it, or I will find someone to do it and they will be there today. Any time I can get out of the office to do something to help someone else, that’s a good day for sure.” 

The RNCO is the principal military advisor to installation leadership and staff members on matters regarding readiness and deployment for Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, DoD civilians, Space Force personnel and family members. The position contains a special duty identifier and is open to eligible master sergeants and technical sergeants with a line number for promotion to master sergeant. 

“I recommend that even if you’re not eligible to apply that you shadow your local RNCO to learn more about the job,” said Mayo. “A good candidate is someone who has a heart for helping others. For me personally, I could not have dreamed up a better way to finish off my military career where my sole job was to help our families.”