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NCR JOINT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt Davis
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS --  Leaders from each branch of the Department of Defense launched the first National Capital Region Joint Professional Development Seminar at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Washington D.C., running from May 13-16.

The seminar speakers provided attending NCOs and petty officers tools to help them operate in a joint environment.

"If this is your first time in a joint environment, it will be the first of many," said U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Command Master Chief Chris Detje as he spoke of the future of DOD operations.

The service leaders created Joint NCO/PO PDC to meet the needs of junior NCOs and POs across the DOD. Service members from each branch attended the 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. In addition, the senior enlisted leaders conducted a mentoring session. The course also contained team building exercises to give first-hand experience for NCOs and POs to complete a joint task.

"Our NCO Corp is a continuously tested group," said Marine Corps Sgt Maj. Bryan Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when addressing Joint NCO/PO PDC graduates. "It is literally impossible for you to succeed in this career as a soloist."

The course instructors helped enhance relationships between the students by providing a joint service panel featuring senior NCOs who shared their experiences and lessons they learned. There were also briefings throughout the week covering topics like standards and discipline, resiliency and joint perspectives of each branch.

"We see tremendous benefit of this course, especially down the road when you are leading together," said Air Force District of Washington Command Chief Master Sgt. Jose LugoSantiago during the joint service panel discussion. "Sometimes we fail to realize the biggest impact you can have is right here, right now."