Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

“I am very proud of the Airmen that worked for me. They were brand new from tech school and they just did everything they could because they saw how hard I was working (in order) to help me out. I think they will be the next superstars,” said Senior Airman Brittany Hayden, 75th Medical Support Squadron.

Hayden, one of two Air Force-level winners recently announced in the 75th Medical Group, took honors as U.S. Air Force Public Health Airman of the Year.

We hear about the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps being the backbone of the Air Force, but have you ever stopped to ask why? It's not a tough question, but it can bring about some interesting answers.

I once heard someone say, "If you think you're a leader, take a look behind you. If no one is following -- you're not leading. You're just going for a walk."

Now I don't know who said that, but it sure is true.

As a leader and senior NCO, I have many responsibilities — ranging from ensuring the day-today job gets done to caring for Airmen. During the course of a normal day, there is no shortage of projects, tasks and suspenses reminding me there are still 101 jobs that need to be accomplished. The mission will always remain, but the people are what drive the mission. It’s important to always remember to balance organizational duties with supporting our Airmen’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. 

Staff Sgt. Terrence J. O'Brien, 388th EMS/MXMWMA, sponsored a senior noncommissioned officer during a permanent change of station this January. According to the nomination packet, O'Brien "set the bar for how the sponsorship program should work" because the senior NCO was not originally supposed to come to the section he ended up in. The nomination packet cited how once the appointment to the section was made, the staff sergeant was on top of everything.

The Hill 5/6, the junior non-commissioned professional organization, is raising money for the costs of the technical sergeant promotion social in June.

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The "backbone of the Air Force." This overused but still very relevant phrase is familiar to most of us in uniform, usually in the context of describing the enlisted force, or more specifically, the non-commissioned officer corps. But what does it mean? And why is it still so important?

A professional organization on base has reorganized and is promoting the participation of all active duty and Reserve membership.

The Hill 5/6 sponsors the continued growth of Hill Air Force Base staff sergeants (E-5) and technical sergeants (E-6) as supervisors and noncommissioned officers.