Great sponsors make a difference Published Jan. 19, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen in technical training school are typically unaware of their follow on base until only a few weeks or even months after their instruction has begun. Nonetheless, it is essential Airmen get in touch with a sponsor or supervisor at their subsequent base as soon as possible. Airman 1st Class Saiomy Santiago, 5th Comptroller Squadron financial analysis technician explained why staying in touch with her sponsor from early on really helped her know what to expect when she arrived here November 2010 at Air Force Global Strike Command's Minot AFB. She also expressed how getting acquainted with future co-workers while still in technical school, can really make the transition to a first duty station easier. "Soon after I found out I was headed to Minot I got in touch with my sponsor," said Airman Santiago. "I was only three weeks into tech school." She mentioned it was very easy to get in touch with her sponsor and she was readily available to answer her questions. "I quickly became friends with my sponsor, so much, that I would talk to her on a regular basis on Facebook," said Airman Santiago. "I was able to really get to know my future co-worker." Social networking really proved to keep the lines of communication between them very open and personable. "Since I became friends with my sponsor, I was very confident in asking whichever questions I wanted, even in detail," continued Airman Santiago. "I felt really lucky to have such a helpful sponsor." She said her sponsor answered any questions she had ranging from what the weather was like to what kind of work environment she would expect. However, she noted some Airmen are not as lucky. "I know some people who had a really tough time getting a hold of their sponsor," added Airman Santiago. She mentioned that during her briefings at the First Term Airman's Course here, various Airmen explained how their sponsors were not as readily available and it proved some difficulty in transitioning. "Some told me they never received any returned calls or e-mails from their sponsor," said Airman Santiago. "It would have made it a little difficult for me to find out what to expect here if I hadn't developed a good relationship with my sponsor." Airman 1st Class Ashley Work, 5th CPTS budget analyst and Airman Santiago's sponsor, was pleased to help out Airman Santiago because she knew what it felt like to be new here. "I wanted to make sure I helped Airman Santiago prepare for her arrival," said Airman Work. "Being appointed as a sponsor also helped me know the whole sponsorship process as well." According to the Airman and Family Readiness Center, sponsors are able to access sponsorship training through the AF portal system. The online course offers them with the necessary tools to ensure a smooth transition for arriving Airmen. Airman Work mentioned that many Airmen usually have a one sided and at times negative portrayal of the base. And added it just takes getting used to the lifestyle around this area. "Minot is a different place," said Airman Work. "My main goal was to ensure that Airman Santiago felt comfortable when she arrived here." Airman Santiago explained that by the time she arrived at her work station, she was well spun up on what some of her job duties would consist of. "I made sure she knew what some of her primary duties would be when she arrived here," said Airman Work. "I even e-mailed her templates of what some of the work she would be doing while she was still in tech school." Airman Work felt she did as much as she could to provide Airman Santiago with a smooth transition to Minot. "I think some lose out when they don't have such a caring sponsor," said Airman Work. "Getting acquainted with newly arriving Airmen can really make a difference in morale.