By Joint Knowledge Online | August 28, 2024 —
The Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (EJPME) Spotlight series recognizes and profiles current and former students serving in the Joint Interagency, Intergovernmental, Multinational (JIIM) environment or in named joint operations and exercises. The goal of this series is to showcase a EJPME student or alumni and share their experiences to inspire current students and provide an example for others to emulate. Individuals can be nominated for this quarterly distinction by the EJPME program manager or their command senior enlisted leader (CSEL).
Our current EJPME Alumni Spotlight recipient is TSgt. Jewel Newsome. She is currently the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC of the Commander’s Support Staff (CSS), 820th Intelligence Squadron, United States Air Force, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
What joint experiences have you had?
My joint experience began when I was afforded the opportunity to work at the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) while a personnel specialist in the Nebraska Air National Guard. I initially began in the J10 (now the J15, Manpower/Personnel Guard and Reserve Matters), serving as an executive NCO for the J10 senior enlisted leader and two general/flag officers. I later served as a command customer support specialist in the J1 (Joint Manpower/Personnel), conducting administrative services for the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, and foreign military services. Toward the end of my time at USSTRATCOM, I served as the force development NCO−also within the J1−where I gleaned insight into how my career field serves the Joint Force as a whole.
How has EJPME impacted your experiences in a joint environment?
EJPME broadened my knowledge and understanding of joint operations. After completing the course, I was better equipped to work alongside and support members from multiple services.
Tell us about an experience you’ve had where your EJPME knowledge came into play.
While working in the J1, I met officer and enlisted members of various services daily. EJPME provided me with knowledge and insight into the various roles of branches of the military which gave me a deeper understanding of the levels of responsibility within the joint command structure.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned about joint operations?
The most important thing I learned about joint operations is how necessary it is for all services to work together; it's only with the synergy created by the joint force that we can get after the policies and objectives set forth by our senior leaders.
What do you feel is the most important subject for future joint leaders to know?
I believe future joint leaders should consider enhancing the joint force by creating more joint billets (opportunities) for enlisted Reservists of various statuses. Enlisted Reservists bring special skill sets and perspectives from their military service, along with the knowledge they gain from their civilian careers, which could greatly benefit the joint environment. Providing these opportunities may motivate them to want to take part and will help them see where their efforts and contributions fit into the bigger picture.
What advice do you have for current students?
My advice for current students is to take what they learn in EJPME and try to find a correlation between what they do on a daily basis, to how they would operate in a joint environment. I believe everyday application of the lessons we learn can change our way of thinking and positively affect how the mission is completed.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently searching for an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) position that’ll allow me to progress in my career and help me to develop as an NCO/staff NCO. I’m eager to rejoin the joint force because I miss the many lessons I learned and the conversations I had with members from various backgrounds and perspectives offered. I’m looking forward to moving into the SNCO ranks so I can better advocate for other members of the joint force and help them the way SNCOs assisted me when I joined the command.
What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to learn that I can confidently give a day-by-day itinerary for a vacation to Disney World based on these three things: vacation budget, the amount of people going on the vacation, and the age groups of the people.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’d like to reiterate how important it is for enlisted members to learn about other services and how EJPME is such an important tool that’ll provide them an intro to their future careers in joint environments.
Many thanks to TSgt. Jewel Newsome for sharing her educational experience with our audience.
Individuals may be nominated for this quarterly distinction by the EJPME program manager or their command senior enlisted leader (CSEL). If you are a CSEL interested in nominating an EJPME student or alumni, please contact the Program Manager John Lipps at john.r.lipps.civ@mail.mil.
