Attention Thunderbolts: There’s a new focus in town

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Marquia GIles
  • 56th Fighter Wing
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke has initiated a new force - Team Re-Focus.

This is not your ordinary professional development group. With our slogan of "Keepin' it real!" and combined with the back to basics campaign approach, Team Re-Focus is a group of motivated NCOs armed with the drive and knowledge to realign the effectiveness of our NCO core as leaders here at Luke Air Force Base. I have heard, first hand, many Airmen say "My leadership sucks," "I'm afraid to talk to my supervisor" and "No one cares."

Mentoring is something very near and dear to my heart. There are Airmen out there who, for whatever reason, are not being properly advised. Some find it hard to confide in their leadership for fear of reprisal. Others are being ill-advised due to uneducated or unmotivated superiors. I believe in camaraderie and caring for one another. At the end of the day we wear the same last name over our hearts and that is what we should be about - Wingmanship 101.

NCOs, what happened to asking questions when your Airman shows signs of struggle or inexplicable behavior? When did we stop assessing our Airmen and start prosecuting them? Regardless of rank or age, we all face some amount of stress. Seeking out the stem of a problem is the trait of a true leader. Remember, no one wakes up in the morning and says, "I want to be a dirt bag today." Stressors affect us all. Sometimes we can solve the problem and other times all we can do is soothe an issue that is past mending. Regardless, caring should be the first order of business.

I started this program because of the positive influence my mentors, advisors, and leaders have had on me. I believe everyone deserves a fighting chance.

The ultimate goal of Team Re-focus is to mend issues between NCOs and Airmen such as distrust, confusion and fear, to name a few. Through compassion and professionalism Team Re-Focus aims to show our most valuable assets, our Airmen, that Luke really does care. This will not be an easy task because trust barriers have been broken. But together, we can refocus our vision of unity and bridge the gap of trust.

Airmen, if you need personal, professional, career, financial guidance or maybe just someone to vent to in confidence, Team Re-focus is here for you.

I am looking to build a team of knowledgeable motivated NCOs to help me resolve misconceptions that plague our corps. Through continued solicitation efforts, Team Re-Focus is expanding its numbers. Any NCO who is interested in stepping up and reawakening the heart of our responsibilities, contact Team Re-Focus at Lukerefocus@gmail.com.

Mentorship is not an option - it's a necessity!