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AFDW CMSgts, selects complete orientation seminar

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. --  Chief master sergeant selects and a few Airmen who recently pinned on their E-9 stripe from across the National Capital Region attended the Chief Orientation Seminar to prepare for the responsibilities that come with their new rank here Feb. 3-7.

The seminar featured briefings by key Air Force leaders including the service's top uniformed members, who each highlighted what they expect from chief master sergeants.

"You should feel proud about this accomplishment," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody. "People are always going to be looking at you on this path. They need to see you moving the organization forward in a meaningful way."

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer discussed a variety of topics with the Airmen to include force management, sexual assault response and prevention and the budget. He also shared his leadership lessons and reminded the group that their Airmen are going to watch every move they make.

"They are going to look at how you conduct yourself," Spencer said. "When they see you have enthusiasm for what you do, it will be a force multiplier. It will make your folks want to come to work."

The briefers repeatedly stressed that these new and soon to be chief master sergeants could impact every Airman they crossed paths with for better or for worse.

"When people have relevance they have hope," said AFDW Commander Maj. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar. "So when you are out and about let people know they are relevant, make sure they understand how important they are."

One of the last speakers of the seminar was the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. As he spoke to the Airmen, he continued to stress the impact a chief master sergeant can have on everyone they come into contact with.

"You are the most important conversation in your Airman's day," Welsh said. "They don't accidently talk to you. When they come talk to you, they have an issue. It might not be a major issue to you, but to that Airman it is.."

The CSAF reminded these Air Force leaders that they need to know their Airmen.

"Every Airman has a story," he said. "Their stories are sad, exhilarating, uplifting, sobering, they are every adjective you can come up with and every Airman has one. The most important thing is they are unique to that Airman. And the simple fact is if you don't know the Airman, you don't know their story, you can't lead the Airman. You have to make sure every supervisor you have working for you knows that."

Welsh went on to say that several of the issues facing the Air Force such as sexual assault, resiliency, and lack of respect in the work place can be tied to not knowing one another well.

"The better we know each other the better care we will take of each other," he said. "It is not going to be an Air Force program that is going to fix this, it is us. It is Airman to Airman. You guys set the tone to make that happen."