New Wing Command Chief explores fresh options for airman education

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony G. Agosti
  • 118th Wing Public Affairs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  The new Command Chief Master Sergeant of Berry Field Air National Guard Base has a firm goal in mind of wanting to expand education options for Airmen.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin M. Williams was promoted to his current position at the 118th Wing on Dec. 5, 2015. Despite his new role, he still believes his core duty is the same.

"My area of responsibility had to broaden," said Williams. "But the basic job is still taking care of Airmen."

Williams feels that he can best help Airmen on base by increasing their available education options. One of the ways he wants to do this is to improve the teaching and support in the Airman leadership school.

"We like to get new instructors, the young ones that really excelled in ALS, and try to mentor them to be instructors," said Williams. "You have a better connection if you just graduated from the school and excelled in it."

Williams also wants to increase the class options that count toward earning a Community College of the Air Force degree.

"Last year we had a rapport with Nashville State Community College, I want to reconnect with them and make sure that's still the case," said Williams. "That should give us more opportunities for young Airmen to get their CCAF degree."

Williams is also looking into bringing an NCO academy to Berry Field so that Airmen don't have to travel to other bases to receive their schooling.

"We have to see if we have the infrastructure in place to support an NCOA," said Williams. "The deliberate development plan is to make our guys competitive, that's why I'm trying to bring that course here."

Williams also believes that to make young Airmen more competitive, they have to be adequately trained to take over the jobs of their superiors.

"We cannot afford for senior management in organizations to hoard all the knowledge," said Williams. "We should be constantly training our replacements."

The reason Williams is focusing so much on education is simple; to take care of Airmen, help them grow, and achieve mission success.

"It's really back to the basics, making sure that Airmen are properly trained, maintaining deliberate development, and making sure that we keep the standards and expectations," said Williams. "That's the overall mission success right there."

New Wing Command Chief explores fresh options for airman education

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony G. Agosti
  • 118th Wing Public Affairs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  The new Command Chief Master Sergeant of Berry Field Air National Guard Base has a firm goal in mind of wanting to expand education options for Airmen.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin M. Williams was promoted to his current position at the 118th Wing on Dec. 5, 2015. Despite his new role, he still believes his core duty is the same.

"My area of responsibility had to broaden," said Williams. "But the basic job is still taking care of Airmen."

Williams feels that he can best help Airmen on base by increasing their available education options. One of the ways he wants to do this is to improve the teaching and support in the Airman leadership school.

"We like to get new instructors, the young ones that really excelled in ALS, and try to mentor them to be instructors," said Williams. "You have a better connection if you just graduated from the school and excelled in it."

Williams also wants to increase the class options that count toward earning a Community College of the Air Force degree.

"Last year we had a rapport with Nashville State Community College, I want to reconnect with them and make sure that's still the case," said Williams. "That should give us more opportunities for young Airmen to get their CCAF degree."

Williams is also looking into bringing an NCO academy to Berry Field so that Airmen don't have to travel to other bases to receive their schooling.

"We have to see if we have the infrastructure in place to support an NCOA," said Williams. "The deliberate development plan is to make our guys competitive, that's why I'm trying to bring that course here."

Williams also believes that to make young Airmen more competitive, they have to be adequately trained to take over the jobs of their superiors.

"We cannot afford for senior management in organizations to hoard all the knowledge," said Williams. "We should be constantly training our replacements."

The reason Williams is focusing so much on education is simple; to take care of Airmen, help them grow, and achieve mission success.

"It's really back to the basics, making sure that Airmen are properly trained, maintaining deliberate development, and making sure that we keep the standards and expectations," said Williams. "That's the overall mission success right there."