BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Professional development plays a crucial role in every Airman’s career, helping individuals grow both in their career field and as leaders.
In Air Force Global Strike Command, there are several programs designed to develop officers’, enlisted members’ and civilians’ understanding and knowledge of nuclear operations and critical thinking, as well as broaden their view of the mission.
Striker Titan is a professional development program for AFGSC enlisted Airmen. The goal of the program is to use deliberate education compiled with experiential duty assignments to develop and deliver non-commissioned officers with a broader perspective of the mission.
Participants known as “Titans” spend a year in the program and are given the opportunity to learn from front-line specialists across every facet of nuclear deterrence and long-range combat support.
Titans also attend various training courses, each of which help the NCOs gain a deeper understanding of each unit’s impact with respect to the broader Global Strike Command mission.
Tech. Sgt. Stephen Carlson II, a 2nd Munitions Squadron NCO in charge of missile support, is a participant in the Striker Titan program.
“Striker Titan gives NCOs a holistic view of the nuclear enterprise,” Carlson said.
During his one year in the program, Carlson said he gained more leadership skills, which will benefit his unit and the AFGSC mission.
Only nine NCOs from across the command are selected each year to participate in the program. The Deterrence Operations Professional Development Programs Office contacts each candidate to notify them of their enrollment. The program is extremely competitive, and the Titans are considered some of the best NCOs in the command.
Candidates for the program must complete an associate’s degree, attain the “Craftsman” skill level in their respective Air Force career field, and assemble a comprehensive nomination package detailing their military biography information. Nominees also must receive recommendation for the program from their squadron leadership. Those looking to apply for the program should speak with their unit leaders to express their interest.
“They’re not looking for NCOs that are in the Air Force for themselves,” said Tech. Sgt. Maximiliano Rivera, NCO in charge of AFGSC protocol and Striker Titan participant. “They’re looking for those who truly want to better the Air Force and their troops.”
Striker Titan creates force multipliers by preparing NCOs to be even better leaders and enabling them to share the knowledge they gain through the program with their unit.
“I have learned so much more about the AFGSC mission due to this program,” Rivera said. “I have taken what I’ve learned to my work center, which has opened the aperture for others to see what opportunities exist outside of just their career field. I want them to realize that if they put in the work, these opportunities are a possibility.”