JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Every day that Master Sgt. Barbara DiPoli walks into the office, she is amazed at the opportunity she has to represent the approximately 91,000 enlisted members of the Air National Guard.
In her new position as the special assistant to Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, she helps him ensure that the enlisted force's concerns are heard and addressed by ANG leadership.
DiPoli, who came from the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, Kansas, started her current position in September as she sought out this developmental tour. "I felt this was the right opportunity for Master Sgt. DiPoli to not only gain a better understanding of how the Air National Guard operates, but to have an opportunity to help her own growth and development," said Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bellquist, her former Force Service Support chief. "There will also be great opportunities for DiPoli to share this knowledge and skills she has learned when she returns from her four-year statutory tour." Being a National Guard Airman includes opportunities to apply for leadership developmental positions, which is one way to gain additional Air Guard perspectives and experiences. DiPoli said her force support squadron chief approached her with the job announcement and encouraged her to apply. After DiPoli learned about this position, she spoke with senior enlisted leaders within her unit to gain a better understanding on what it means to work for the Air National Guard command chief. "I received mentoring from both my FSS chief and my wing command chief before I applied for the position," she said. "They talked to me about the opportunity to develop (as) an Airman and the potential of gaining experience and knowledge to bring that I can bring back to the Kansas Air National Guard." The office is quick paced with a high operations tempo and DiPoli, who served four years in the regular Army, said she is ready. "This opportunity was at a time in my life where I needed the challenge," said DiPoli, adding that the experience will make her a better Airman and leader. The hours can be long and the work can be challenging both physically and mentally. Still, DiPoli, who served approximately 22 months in Iraq over two deployments, said she is prepared for her new role. "I help Chief Hotaling do what has to happen in order for him to visit Airmen," said DiPoli, adding that the job includes making Office of the Command Chief travel arrangements, preparing and amending orders, detailed trip books and agendas. She also assists in managing the office schedules, calendars and managing the ANG command chief SharePoint site. The growth opportunities available can prove to be an intangible benefit and give DiPoli insight that would be not be learned at a unit level. DiPoli said her perspective of the Air National Guard's policies and how things are accomplished has definitely sharpened. "At this level, I will learn what goes into making the Air National Guard operate and all the hard work and decisions that go into making changes. Being part of that is amazing and exciting to think about." "I am going to be challenged in every area as an Airman and as a senior non-commissioned officer but my plan is that I will exceed my expectations," she said. "I am extremely fortunate. It’s an amazing opportunity and I am grateful to be a part of such a remarkable team."