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Senior Air Force leaders inspire AFDW Airmen during inaugural leadership course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tabitha N. Haynes
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  A group of 37 Airmen made up of noncommissioned officers, company grade officers and mid-level civilians attended the Air Force District of Washington's inaugural "Capital Airmen" course May 21-24 here.

The four-day course was focused on developing junior AFDW leaders by educating them and their spouses about the command and the importance of AFDW's mission.

"The Capital Airmen program is one of many on-going efforts to provide a top-notch development opportunity for our Airmen," said Maj. Gen Darren W. McDew, AFDW commander. "We want to ensure that our star performers have a chance to be indoctrinated into the command's mission sets and we expect them to share what they learn here with their peers and subordinates.

"I wanted to specifically reach our young leaders and their families," he said. "Two very important elements that made the course a big success were the participation of their spouses and our senior mentors - Col. Tony Thomas and his wife, Pam, and Col. Greg Urtso and his bride, Kelly."

The attendees were hand-picked by their wing commanders for the opportunity to learn how the command functions. The course included briefings from senior-level Air Force leaders, and visits to national capital region sites and organizations that play a key role in the AFDW mission.

"Our close proximity to Washington D.C., allows us to leverage key leaders from the Pentagon to provide the strategic perspective, and show our young leaders how AFDW fits into the big picture," said McDew.

Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc helped McDew open the course May 21. In doing so, Gorenc spoke to the assembled Airmen about AFDW's mission and the importance of leadership.

"My number-one recommendation to you is make sure you understand the mission," Gorenc said. He told the audience it is their job to learn the mission and then share it with other Airmen in a way that they can understand and relate to.

Gorenc also challenged the group to find the future leaders in their midst and mentor them.

"Your job in the development of our Air Force is to make sure that you pluck out leaders for advancement because of their future potential," he told the Airmen. "You pluck out the leaders from the managers."

Gorenc repeated a famous saying to demonstrate how to spot a leader, telling the group that "managers do things right; leaders do the right thing."
"We have an incredible workforce," he said. "We must identify those Airmen who have the potential to operate at the next grade, because not all Airmen have that potential."

The general told the group that providing feedback to those they lead is essential, but that they should be sure to provide frank and honest feedback that includes recommendations for improvement.

[See related story for more of Gorenc's remarks.]

McDew said the assistant vice chief's thoughts were well in line with his vision for developing AFDW's military and civilian leaders. Establishing leadership courses to inform and develop AFDW Airmen will remain a priority for the command, he said.

"Over the past year, the AFDW commander and command chief took a hard look at development opportunities for AFDW Airmen and recognized a gap in development opportunities for our mid-level leaders at the operational and strategic level," said Lt. Col. John R. Brooks, AFDW Commanders Action Group director.

AFDW's Capital Airmen course is one of many efforts over the past two years designed to deliberately develop AFDW Airmen, Brooks said. Other events include the McDew-hosted Airmen Lunch Series, in which he provides small-group leadership discussions; the civilian mentoring program, in which mid-level civilians meet with civilian and military mentors monthly while attending quarterly career-focused education events; as well as the Leadership Challenge, where a nationally recognized leadership and change-management speaker educates large groups across AFDW.

The final guest speaker, Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton, wrapped up the course May 24 by encouraging the Capital Airmen to improve the Air Force at their level.

"I think this is a really exciting time to serve. I think it is a time for innovation and new ideas," said Conaton.

"Some of our best ideas come from the flight line," the undersecretary said. She referenced Air Mobility Command's initiative to use electronic flight bags to replace the bags of paper manuals and navigation charts carried by pilots and navigators.

"I encourage you to bring new ideas through your chain of command," Conaton said. "Whatever your specialty, look at better ways to do things."

In addition to hearing from senior leaders, Capital Airmen participants also toured various AFDW mission sections; heard mission briefings from AFDW mission partners; received briefings on the total force perspective, continuous force development, family support, and effective communication via social media; and participated in panel discussions with squadron commanders and command chiefs.

"Since this was AFDW's inaugural Capital Airmen course, many lessons are being learned along the way," said Chief Master Sgt. John Millington, course director. "For 2013, there will be changes to the program as we expand the course and refine it, but one thing is for certain. The Capital Airmen course is here to stay because AFDW leadership is committed to the personal and professional development of the entire AFDW team."