NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- The Rising 4, a group consisting of Airmen through Senior Airmen was created just four months ago after Chief Master Sgt. Scott Peters, 914th Air Refueling Wing command chief at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York, recommended separating the previous Rising 6 into two separate groups--Airmen and NCOs. The idea was to provide a space for junior enlisted airmen to learn, grow and lead within their peer group as outlined in the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Force Structure.
Senior Airman Jared Krypel, 914th Communications Squadron radio transmission specialist & the Rising 4’s treasurer says he, along with many other airmen, miss the camaraderie they had with in-person training, especially during the pandemic and wants to reestablish that with the Rising 4.
“The Airmen are eager to volunteer and are proud to display our core values such as service before self,” said Krypel. “There are many great Airmen all over the base, who have shown interest in getting together as a team and wanting to make a difference.”
The Rising 4’s first major project is helping generate donations during the March 2021 UTA, all for the Buffalo City Mission, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless and those in need.
“The Rising 4 has a strong aim to get involved in community and base volunteer events to give back,” says Krypel. “This will provide airmen an opportunity to learn communication, leadership, and teamwork skills while also helping others out.”
Senior Airman Nicole Kirchberger, 914th Force Support Squadron admin specialist & Rising 4 president says the Rising 4 have been thinking about several events for the last four months and that now is the time to move to into action.
“The Rising 4 has brainstormed some amazing events we’d like to do in order to better the community, not just in the area of the base, but to wherever we can help,” said Kirchberger. “After personally seeing firsthand the difference these donations make in someone’s life has to be, by far, one of the best feelings to say the least. Knowing that you are putting a child in newer, cleaner clothes almost makes you want to cry.
She said what drove her to lead the organization isn’t for personal gain but for her fellow Airmen, who may need that helping hand.
“I am hoping the Rising 4 will help open up communication channels between the enlisted and leadership,” said Kirchberger. “I also hope it will build a sense of community for the E-1s through E-4s, that way no one ever has to feel alone. You never know what someone is going through, and if this group is the reason someone is still with us, then that’s enough for me.
All are welcomed to donate gently used clothing items to the Rising 4 at the NFARS Community Activities Center (CAC) starting Saturday, March 6, 2021, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Rising 4 is also scheduled to accept donations Sunday, March 7, 2021, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
The Rising 4 are also having their general meeting Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the CAC from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. All are welcome to attend.