Joint Professional Development Seminar Published June 3, 2015 By Staff Sergeant Matt Davis Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. -- Leaders from each branch of the Department of Defense gathered to host the National Capital Region Joint Professional Development Seminar at the National Defense University on Fort Lesley J. McNair running May 26-30. Senior service members spoke at the seminar to provide attending NCOs and petty officers tools to help them operate in a joint environment. Service leaders created the Joint NCO/PO PDS to meet the needs of junior NCOs and POs across the Department of Defense. Service members from each branch attend the bi-annual course to develop skills to prepare them for challenges they may face filling joint mission requirements. The course instructors did this by defining each member's role and responsibility. "What you do is vitally important for each of the services, remember that when you lead younger troops." said Marine Corps Sergeant Major Robert W. Pullen, Headquarters and Service Battalion. The senior enlisted leaders conducted a mentoring session and team building exercises. "I think you know the importance of working in a joint environment," said Air Force District of Washington Command Chief Master Sergeant Farrell Thomas. "You should be proud of yourself for taking this course."