Strong triad key to unit success

  • Published
  • By Maj. Brian Zeman
  • 71st Aerial Port Squadron commander
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Triad course in Atlanta, Ga. This interactive course was designed to foster the working relationship between three key leadership positions in a typical U.S. Air Force Reserve squadron: the commander, the senior Air Reserve Technician and the first sergeant.

All of our Airmen within a squadron are invaluable to the success of the unit; however, the triad is especially important, and it's the backbone to operations running efficiently and effectively. It provides the framework needed by a squadron commander.

For a typical AF Reserve squadron, the senior ART duties and responsibilities include representing the unit commander in managing day-to-day programs and activities during the month per Air Force Reserve Command Instruction 24-101, Reserve Aerial Port Program. This is a critical responsibility in the fact that they are the voice of the commander, ensuring the mission of the unit is carried out from month to month and between drills. As a traditional reservist commander, great trust must be put into the senior ART to ensure the vision, goals and priorities of the commander are communicated and carried out.

The roles and responsibilities of the first sergeant include exercising general supervision over assigned enlisted personnel and serving as the focal point within the unit for all matters concerning enlisted members. They are a critical link in providing the commander a mission-ready enlisted force to execute the unit mission. They too are entrusted with ensuring the commander's policies, goals and objectives are understood and carried out.

Knowing the basic roles and responsibilities, commanders must ensure their triad functions as a harmonious team that is creditable, perceptive and is one that works together. I challenge each unit to build upon their triad relationship in order to maximize the effectiveness of the unit and to minimize potential failures.