Entering Active Duty in security forces in 30 days. Any Advice?

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:49:13 -0400

I'm entering active duty in security forces in 30 days and I'm looking for any advice on how to be a good officer in a career field without going to tech school. I know at the earliest my tech school will be is January and I'm looking for advice to be a good officer while I'm waiting to go to tech school.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 30 at 2015 9:54 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:54:11 -0400

Listen, don't speak. Seek the advice of your NCOs. Do what they suggest. Get to know your people.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Aug 30 at 2015 10:20 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:20:43 -0400

Talk with the NCOs. Ride along on patrols. Get a feel for the troops who run the daily operations and take notes. Welcome to SF. I wish you the best of luck.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 30 at 2015 10:34 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:34:09 -0400

As mentioned in the other thread similar to this, SNCO's job is to mentor you. Find a good one, and listen and learn from them. Looks like your going to Minot, so welcome to to Global Strike and the land of PRP and Nukes! Being a cop at at a nuke base is a big deal so learn everything you can about PRP and the nuke mission of both wings.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Aug 30 at 2015 10:37 PM

MSgt Matthew Meindl — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:37:15 -0400

Find a good SNCO to mentor you on how the real air force works. Utilize the information/experience your troops have to be able to make your own informed decisions.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 10:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:52:27 -0400

1. Listen to the SNCO's and allow them to teach you the job.
2. Ask the Flight Sergeant for a copy of all the 797's for all the duty positions. They will contain references to Special Security Instructions, AFI's, etc. Learn each duty position.
3. Get to know your Airman. But remember, your not their friend, your their boss/leader.
4. Do not jump the gun on personnel issues. Get all the facts before making a decision.
Good luck and congrats on your assignment.

Response by MSgt John "JT" Tonn made Aug 30 at 2015 11:01 PM

MSgt John "JT" Tonn — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 23:01:14 -0400

Lt,
Look to your NCOs for guidance, especially your SNCOs!
Remember, "Behind every good officer, stands an NCO."
Good Luck and Stay Safe!
JT Tonn

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 12:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:48:59 -0400

Sir,

- God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth... use them proportionately
- Do not be afraid to listen to your troops. Chances are, they know alot more about the job than you do
- A SNCO should not be your best friend, lapdog, or the bully from the block. You find a good seasoned NCO and pick his brain. He will shape your career more than you can imagine
- Do not dress down your troops, do not insult their intelligence, and try not to tie them down with a risk assessment every time they need to take a leak.
- The troops really appreciate it when every now and again you grab a broom, or move a sandbag or two... No Sir that is not your job or place, but you will earn genuine respect from your guys if they see it on occasion
- Trust your men and they will trust you. Respect your SNCO and your troops will respect you, as will he, and more importantly he will take an active role in getting you from crawl to the run phase
- above all else Sir, remember that respect is a two way street. You cant buy it or take it. It is earned. You cannot lead men if you dont have their respect and confidence. You need to give respect in order to gain respect. Marine Corp General Chesty Puller once famously made a LT salute a Soldier 100 time because that LT never return his salute.

"You were absolutely correct in making him salute you 100 times, lieutenant, but you know that an officer must return every salute he receives. Now return them all, and I will keep count"

Chesty Puller

Good luck Sir

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 31 at 2015 1:02 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 01:02:20 -0400

As long as you are getting what you want and it isn't a Misnomer (I served for 21 years in the Naval "Security" Group, Military Speak for the Navy Wing of the NSA at the time). I think you will have a great time and I wish you well. As a Private Security Officer my Best Running Mates Professionally are the MPs and as a Navy Spook I did depended on the "Security Forces" guarding my facility although they were the Brunt of many an Unearned Joke.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Aug 31 at 2015 1:42 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 01:42:14 -0400

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member Remember the following: 1.) You have a lot to learn, don't be afraid to ask questions. 2.) If you don't know the answer, don't try to "wing it". Your subordinates with more knowledge will see through that. Think for a moment, then see rule number one. 3.) You have Senior NCOs for a reason. Use their experience, and years of training to strengthen yourself. 4.) Always hold yourself to the highest standards. Your subordinates will respect you for that. 5.) Never pass up a learning opportunity no matter what the "experts" rank may be. 6. Lastly, see number one. Good luck, Sir !!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 9:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:00:55 -0400

Sir,
Minot can be a challenge. There is not much to do around the area & when winter hits, people come up with the damnedest ideas of how to stay entertained. Whether you're on the base, or out in the field, learn from everyone. Even the newest Airman can teach you something - even if its what NOT to do. They all went to Tech school, so there are little things here & there you can pick up from them in order to already go into tech school w/ a bit of knowledge of what is to come.

Learn your LandNav so you can navigate country roads properly - map reading skills.

Don't let rank get to your head & find those you can rely on, both officer & enlisted. You'll do just fine!

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Aug 31 at 2015 10:16 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:16:57 -0400

You've been to OTS so you've already gotten the "listen to your elders" speech. So, here is some advice with a slightly different slant. The Security Forces have justly earned its reputation for eating their young. First and foremost be fair but remember to take care of YOUR TROOPS. When something goes wrong under your watch, and it will, place blame where blame is due and often thats at the hands of a midlevel or senior NCO who was supposed to train and supervise his or her Airmen but didn't. Always look for and correct the institutional failings that allow a problem to happen, rather than automatically isssuing LORs and article 15s at the lowest level. Next, never forget that the rules and laws apply to everyone equally from the most junior Airman to the highest ranking Commander. Many young Security Forces Officers fall into the mindset (I call it a trap) of believing "I'm in charge of all the cops on duty right now! So who's going to issue me a ticket?" The answer is the OSI, every commander and deputy commander on base, the Chiefs, the Shirts, the Senior NCO's, the Junior NCO's, the Airman, the civilian's, the contractors, and the dependants, basically everyone is watching you. With the prevalance of smart phones and tablet computers with cameras you need to be vigilant about what you say and what you do at all times. A single off the cuff comment about something when taken out of context can ruin your career.

Response by TSgt Raymond Davis made Aug 31 at 2015 10:22 AM

TSgt Raymond Davis — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:22:29 -0400

First of all, it depends on whether you go to a nuke base or not. A nuke base will get you promoted in a timely fashion. Also, like the MSgt said, find a good mentor. There are bad and good mentors. A good mentor will explain how thing are done and a bad one will want to make a bad example out of you. Talk to lower ranking individuals as well, find out how things work, what needs to be improved. How to improve on things, you need experience from the bottom to the top.
--Retired USAF SF.

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 31 at 2015 10:39 AM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:39:22 -0400

Latch on to a "GOOD" NCO and follow their lead. Security Forces has a long history of eating their young, so you'll be busy putting out fires. They seem to have a "I was treated like shit, so I'll pass it on" mentality. I call it the battered Airman syndrome. I don't know where you'll go so you may be the only LT there or one of a few. Keep your head on a swivel. Plenty of back stabbing to go around. Enjoy and good luck, LT!

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 31 at 2015 11:01 AM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:01:12 -0400

Learn from your enlisted leadership. Be visible to the troops...stand on the gate with them at 2 in the morning from time to time. I was a 1st Sgt for an SFS squadron.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Aug 31 at 2015 6:43 PM

MSgt Darren VanDerwilt — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 18:43:35 -0400

Find a SSgt or TSgt and stick to them like glue. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

About mentors; You select the mentor, the mentor does not select you. Mentors are not assigned either. If someone comes to you and says "I'm your mentor," get away from them post-haste, or at least be on your guard. This type of person is out to use you for their own agenda. A person who's been assigned is either an ass kisser or a "yes man." They're being used to keep you in check.

A true mentor is the person you decide to want to emulate in some way.

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Sep 1 at 2015 1:07 AM

MSgt Rob Weston — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 01:07:56 -0400

Have a good SNCO mentor and guide you. Remember it is the MSgt's people and flight, he/she will know them best. You and the Flight Chief are a team.

Response by Maj Joseph Osborne made Sep 1 at 2015 6:58 AM

Maj Joseph Osborne — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 06:58:10 -0400

I just read MSgt James Mullis' response and he's dead on correct. Three other things, I flew while I was on AD, but my Dad was career Air Police, then Security Police. I've been around what's known now as SF to make that jugdement. Second, please note people say find a GOOD SNCO to mentor you...there are enough people out there who make a sport out of screwing with a new 2Lt. Third, do NOT hesitate to talk with superior officers and get their take. They should be your primary source of mentorship, because part of being a good leader is training those junior to you on how to do the job right in the future.

Response by TSgt Bret Whitmore made Sep 1 at 2015 1:03 PM

TSgt Bret Whitmore — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 13:03:29 -0400

Congratulations on your becoming part of one of the absolute best career fields with the highest esprit de corps in the Air Force. Also, you've already earned high marks in my book for being willing to ask for advice in the first place. Having been an enlisted Security Policeman from the Cold War 30+ years ago, granted, to some that may seem like the stone age. But I believe what I learned back then is still relevant today: Trust your NCOs. They're the ones with the real DEFENDER experience and the truest and most essential leadership qualities that the junior troops respect. You'll be "coming in green" as we used to say, and don't take offense if you don't automatically get the respect you assume your commissioned rank deserves. Don't expect it or demand it. You'll have to earn that. But one of the surest ways to start off on the right foot is to introduce yourself immediately to your NCO corps, not only in the back offices, but especially on the fire teams out in the field. Trust your NCOs at every level. Learn from them at every level. We didn't get our stripes out of the proverbial Cracker Jacks box. We had to earn them as well. Volunteer (yes, I said it) to do ride-alongs and augmentee duties on every gate, every posted patrol, ESPECIALLY the least desirable ones -- in the heat, the worst possible weather, at the most distant Minuteman sites, and absolutely on the mids and swing shifts. Get your feet wet all the way up to your neck by trying to grasp the broadest possible understanding of all the various specialties, posts, duties, and regulations that encompass our career field. Volunteer to assist your training or stan/eval section to be the lowliest 'opfor weenie' who gets his nose planted on the ground attempting to penetrate a gate or a red line. Not just once, but often. Not only will you quickly develop a new respect for the nuances of physical security, but you'll add immeasurably to what you'll later learn at the Security Forces Academy. Being willing to be the 'fall guy' (somebody's gotta do it!) also provides a worthwhile and vital training opportunity for your fellow Security Forces personnel. DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT make your office or your desk your friend. At your current rank, your place is in the field with your troops, learning, gaining experience and insight. They need you, and believe me, sir, you will need them.

My very best wishes on your success. And again, I must reiterate, welcome to the Fellowship of the Badge and Blue Beret. If you properly apply and humble yourself or the learning tasks at hand, this is one decision you will be glad you made for the rest of your life.

"DEFENSOR FORTIS"

Response by SMSgt Daniel Yoder made Sep 1 at 2015 1:38 PM

SMSgt Daniel Yoder — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 13:38:57 -0400

Hi Sir. First congrats on your commission. I have worked with two officers during my time as a SNCO who also found themselves working in security forces having not gone to tech school yet. One came up from the enlisted ranks of SF so it was not as hard for him. But one was in same position as you. I ended up taking him under my wing and helping him with developing his leadership skills and with the things that as a SF officer needs to know. My best advice is hook up with a experienced SNCO who will be willing to show you some of the SF skills you will need to succeed as a leader.

It is tough enough in Minot, I know I was there 5 years. But there are plenty of SF leadership experienced enough to help you. Good luck.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Sep 1 at 2015 3:51 PM

SMSgt Cary Baker — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 15:51:56 -0400

Most important thing to do sir, is to watch, listen, and observe. Pay close attention to your SNCOs and fellow CGOs. Your SNCOs will teach you the most about leadership. Have thick skin, your commanders will not have sympathy for you, they will challenge you and expect you to perform.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 2 at 2015 12:10 AM

MSG Alfred Aguilar — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:10:04 -0400

Keep your spirits up and your ass down...

Response by SSgt Lawrence Barnard made Oct 2 at 2015 1:19 PM

SSgt Lawrence Barnard — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:19:33 -0400

Listen to all the people that actually do the job. SNCOs have a lot of good info and will be your best friends in learning the job, but find a good flight level SSgt that knows his job and has the respect and trust of his Airmen and latch onto him.

And be better than every officer I ever met and take a post once in a while. That will earn you the respect of Airmen like you wouldn't believe. Arm up and volunteer to man the shittiest post with some Airmen...you'll learn a lot, get a rapport and they'll know you as the LT that worked a shit post with them of your own will.

Response by SMSgt David A Asbury made Oct 31 at 2015 3:55 PM

SMSgt David A Asbury — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 15:55:57 -0400

If you can read all the Air Force regulations and Supplements by command. Learning what the DECON's are, Priortiy Areas, Priority Resources, and how do inspections on Flight. Each Shift starts with Guardmount. Your inspection puts the Best of the Air Force to see. After you get to go to Tech School, try to go TDY at other bases and how they provide security.

Response by Lt Col Gary Hall made Nov 22 at 2016 9:23 PM

Lt Col Gary Hall — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 21:23:14 -0500

Listen to and learn from senior NCOs

Response by Lt Col Frank Deramus made May 14 at 2018 8:46 PM

Lt Col Frank Deramus — Mon, 14 May 2018 20:46:31 -0400

Listen to the people that have experience! Often it will be a NCO. I had a great commander when I was a 2nd Lt. I had to give a base security briefing to a couple of Colonels from HQ. My commander told me “don’t try to BS them! If they ask you a question to which you do not know the answer tell them “I don’t have the answer but i will get it for you”. They already know the answer. They just want to see if you know it! But, I was prepared and knew the answer to every question they asked! Be prepared! Take nothing for granted! I was an Air Police and Security Police Officer for 27 years. Loved the career field!