Get out of your workcenter and get involved

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Russell Kuck
  • 62nd Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Earlier this week, I sent out an email listing upcoming meetings for different base councils from the Rising 4 to the Top 3.

If you're a supervisor and didn't mark your calendar with these dates, whether it's so you or the Airmen around you can attend, you need to reconsider your action.

These organizations have my, as well as the rest of wing leadership's, full support. While they are not a substitute for your chain of command, they are a means by which you can effect positive change for the wing, as well as establish and maintain a spirit of camaraderie and esprit de corps among your fellow enlisted Airmen.

The ideas and concerns generated by the Airmen in these groups always garner my attention and involvement. I trust and respect the opinions of the council members as representatives of their respective ranks.

Additionally, our base councils tie the enlisted network together and provide the means by which you can reach out to those in your peer group for support or to share lessons learned. As you move up in rank, they also offer you the opportunity to play a part in the professional development of Airmen at pivotal points in their career, such as those just entering the noncommissioned officer or senior NCO tiers.

Finally, organizations like the 5/6 Club, open doors for you to get involved in the base and surrounding community. These Airmen are representing the Air Force while making a difference through their volunteer work, scholarship funds and base events.

Again, supervisors you need to encourage and make every effort to allow your Airmen time to attend these council meetings ... and don't forget to lead by example. Hooah!