Senior Enlisted Advisor praises EPME graduates

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, spoke to at least 270 graduates of the NCO Academy 15-2 and Airman Leadership School 15-3 here, Feb. 12, during their graduation ceremony at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center. 

"This is an absolute celebration," said Brush.

The TEC's Lankford Enlisted PME Center holds the largest volume of enlisted professional military education in the U.S. Air Force.

Brush told the graduates to take the tools they gained and bring them back to their units. 

"I want to remind the graduates that once-a-year performance is not our goal, it's the daily performance and details that matter," said Brush.

Among his advice and messages, Brush asked the graduates to know their Airmen, sharpen their edges and put them in places that they will thrive.

"It's among your responsibilities to field that talent and begin the responsibility to field your team," said Brush. "It doesn't do any good keeping it in the bag, you have to pull those tools out and use them." 

Tech. Sgt. Abby Pierce, from the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, said she was excited to return home. 

"I am excited to get back and light a new motivation under my Airmen," said Pierce. "It was so much more than I expected."

Pierce sang the National Anthem with Tech. Sgt. Gershon Raposo to open the ceremony.

"It was pretty nerve-racking at first," said Pierce. She said her classmates encouraged her to give it a try.

Brush also spoke with hundreds of other Airmen, those who serve on base, Feb. 11, in a town hall meeting. He provided insight on the inner workings of the National Guard Bureau and its support to the nation's states and territories.

Click here to watch the Minuteman Report by Tech. Sgt. Sgt. Tabitha Hurst.