MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The roaring jets and proud Airmen of McConnell are familiar to many families in the Wichita area, but for the Jimenez family, this base holds a unique significance. The Jimenez father and son are both stationed here, and are experiencing a new chapter in their military journeys side-by-side: The son is attending Airman Leadership School (ALS), and the father is his class mentor.
A few years prior, in 2021, Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Jimenez, 22nd Maintenance Squadron accessories flight superintendent, dropped off his son to be shipped out to basic training.
“I was stationed at Duke Field over in Florida that year,” Ben said. “So, I dropped him off, he went to basic training, and then that year, I got orders to McConnell.”
The Jimenez family made a stop at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland AFB, Texas, on their way to McConnell to watch their son graduate from basic training. After that, the father made his way to Kansas and the son went on to graduate from technical school.
“Then in November, he called me and said, ‘Guess what? I'm coming to McConnell,’” Ben recalled as he chuckled.
The son's arrival at McConnell seemed like a perfect homecoming, although a short-lived one, because soon after, the father received an assignment to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
This separation turned out to be an important aspect of the son’s development.
"He was upset because, you know, he was coming home and mom was feeding him,” Ben said. “But I knew he needed some time to grow and become a military member and an Airman in the military and not be at home with the family."
It was important for Ben to see his child flourish independently.
Now, years later, their paths have converged once again at McConnell, this time under the unique dynamic of mentor and student in ALS. For the son, having his father as a mentor in his professional development course gave it a whiff of familiarity.
"He's been in the Air Force for a while,” said Senior Airman Ethan Jimenez, 22nd Communications Squadron cyber security technician. “So, he's got a lot of experience to share."
Both went into the class with a professional mindset, given their relationship to one another.
"You have to try to be fair across the board," Ben noted. "You can't just focus on your son. Everybody needs the same level of guidance and mentorship."
However, the unique bond they share adds depth to the Jiminezes’ mentoring relationship. The father's understanding of his son's strengths and areas for growth became stronger over years of raising him.
Ethan has also observed positive changes in his father's leadership style over his career.
"He used to be, I would say, a little close minded, but now he's open," Ethan said. "I guess being in a leadership position exposes you to a lot of feedback. So, I think he'd taken it in, and he's been pretty open with the class."
Ethan already notices the constant growth of a military leader and is now experiencing it himself under his father's guidance. Communication has been a key factor in both Jiminezes’ leadership growth.
The open communication of the father's leadership style is evident in the ALS classroom.
"Everybody wants to ask him questions," Ethan said. "He's open to any kind of feedback, and you can just give it to him straight on. I did see that from our class when he was doing a mentor kind of talk."
Ben’s active engagement and willingness to answer questions underscores his commitment to creating a learning environment where all Airmen feel comfortable seeking his guidance.
For both, this shared experience at McConnell and within ALS is more than just a coincidence – It's a unique opportunity to witness each other's growth firsthand. Ben sees his son taking the steps toward becoming a better leader, while his son learns invaluable lessons from a mentor that shaped his life.
The Jiminezes’ story serves as a reminder of the deep connections that are crucial for military families. At McConnell Air Force Base, the Jimenez family will continue this unique chapter in their careers – one where their family bond and commitment to duty intertwine.