Senior enlisted adviser visits 109th AW

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Catharine Schmidt
  • 109th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush, Senior Enlisted Adviser for the National Guard Bureau, visited the 109th Airlift Wing on Sept. 26, which included a special appearance at the wing's annual Senior NCO Induction Ceremony.

Brush began his visit to the wing with a lunch with the first sergeants and shortly after was given a brief of the Wing's mission and how it supports the National Science Foundation. After a tour of the Wellness Center, Airmen throughout the base filled the Aircrew Briefing Room for an enlisted call.

"Tell your story," Brush told the audience. He said that everyone in the Air National Guard is a recruiter, not just the ones who hold the job title. He told Airmen to talk about their job and the unit's mission to friends and family.

The chief also stressed the importance of being a good leader and training the Airmen who will one day be moving up.

"Make sure there's someone there to fill the void because someday you're going to get promoted," he said. "Someday you're going to move to a different organization. You might even become a command chief. And if you don't have a bench of people to replace you, then whose fault is that?"

Before leaving, 109th AW Command Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto recognized both Tech. Sgt. Keith Eriole, of the 109th Force Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. David Ricks, of the 109th Maintenance Group, for the work they've done in helping the chiefs out. Brush presented both of them with a chief's coin.

Brush closed the enlisted call by thanking the wing's Airmen.

"Thanks for what you do. Thanks for telling your story," he said.

As the senior enlisted adviser, Brush advises the National Guard Bureau chief on all enlisted matters affecting training, effective utilization, health of the force, and enlisted professional development. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 1987 and joined the Montana Air National Guard in 1994.