Calling all enlisted: Rescue chiefs mentor wing Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Natasha Dowridge
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  During the December unit training assembly, the top enlisted Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing wrapped up the year with an enlisted call, sharing with the rest of the enlisted ranks, their thoughts, wisdom and encouragement.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Bianchi, opened his first enlisted call with the 920th RQW as its top enlisted Airman with a morale-boosting image, the 920th RQW morale patch, which represents many aspects throughout the wing, aircraft, pararescue, communications, maintenance and all wing Airmen.

Spicing up the enlisted call, Bianchi chose to address topics helpful to the wing's enlisted Airmen utilizing the chiefs who are considered the subject matter experts in various areas of importance.

Chief Master Sgt. Philip Roe, 920th Maintenance Squadron superintendent, discussed the Promotion Enhancement Program also known as PEP, which speeds up the promotion process. He also shared valuable general promotion information.

"It's a very competitive program for getting promoting, Roe said of PEP. "You're not just competing for rank with the crowd in here, you're competing with those of the same grade as you command wide."

He also emphasized the importance of keeping track and documenting everything in your Air Force career, and then relaying that information to your supervisor.

In order to improve one's chances of being PEPed, the 920th chiefs came up with a solution that would help prevent mistakes from being made, since simple errors can cause a PEP package to be rejected.

"The chiefs have put a panel together to look at the PEP packages, prior to them being sent to 10th Air Force, and Air Force Reserve Command," Roe said. "This way any errors can be caught and corrected by supervisors to ensure a better chance of being PEPed."

Just like their active-duty counterparts, Rescue Reservists are held to the same physical fitness standards. Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Kestranek, the 308th Rescue Squadron chief enlisted pararescueman, provided insight on the new physical fitness standards and recognized the Airmen that have stepped up to the challenge of becoming physical fitness training leaders.

Kestranek also called for every Airman who scored a 100 on their PT test to step forward and be recognized. Each achiever was coined by Bianchi and also received movie tickets.

Kestranek also highlighted the importance of suicide awareness.

"There were 301 military suicides last year, which accounted for 20 percent of all military deaths," Kestranek said. "Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength."

This year has been quite a busy one for the Rescue Wing as many Reservists are preparing for the operational readiness inspection slated for April of next year.

"The ORI is meant to challenge us," said Chief Master Sgt. Randall Becker, 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "They're going to take what we know, take it away from us and see if we can overcome, adapt and operate."

For Reservists to be fully prepared for the upcoming ORI, their physicals and dental must be up to date.

Chief Master Sgts. Dorlen Martin, 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron health services manager, and Juan Yepez, ASTS senior enlisted manager for aerospace medical services, talked about taking responsibility for your medical requirements to enable you to be war ready. Having an overdue physical can prevent Airmen from deploying.

The Reserve Health Readiness Program is available for those Airmen who do not live within 50 miles of the base and need to complete a physical or dental examination allowing them to complete it in their local community.

Chief Master Sgt. Armand Barrett, Maintenance Operations Flight logistics superintendent, stressed the importance of keeping a clean appearance. He challenged the audience with details about Air Force Dress and Appearance Air Force Instructions.

Barrett urged the audience to, "Take responsibility for the appearance of all Airmen."

Being part of the only rescue wing in AFRC, Reservists do something that should be recognized and Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Colaninno, 920th Security Forces Squadron manager, announced the enlisted 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Program.

"The program is meant to showcase the Air Force's best and brightest," Colaninno said.

Ever year 10 active duty Airmen, one Reservist and one Guardsman are chosen to represent the Air Force's 12 most outstanding Airmen. The process is very competitive just like that of the PEP program.

Finally, Chief Master Sgt. Lazaro Ibarra, 301st Rescue Squadron helicopter flight engineer, assured the Rescue Airmen that their hard work was being seen and heard by the Air Force Sergeants Association and distinguished visitors that tour the base.

"They are our advocates," Ibarra said.

In addition to all important topics covered, Bianchi, for the first time, coined a civilian, Ms. Katy Mulligan, for her dedication to the wing as an education liaison for Reservists.

Before being released to the family day holiday picnic, Bianchi left the ranks with this, "My desire is to help this wing."

He promised Airmen on further improvements for Airmen and civilians of all statuses: Traditional Reservists, Air Guard Reservists and Air Reserve Technicians (each component has areas of improvement) belonging to this wing. He also announced that with the help from the 920th Force Support Squadron, the gym would be open at 6 a.m. in January for PT testing.

He also mentioned, there are also seven first sergeant positions available within the wing; four local and three at the wing's geographically separated unit at the 943rd Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan, Ariz. A first sergeant is a special senior noncommissioned officer position who provides a dedicated focal point for all readiness, health, morale, welfare and quality-of-life issues within his or her organization.

"We are the elite of AFRC, they know it and you should know it, Bianchi said. "You have no idea how proud I am to be your command chief. These things you do are absolutely phenomenal!"