Junior Enlisted Summit informs future leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman Armando Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing/ Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Approximately 240 junior enlisted Airmen attended the Junior Enlisted Summit at the Robert J. Dole Community Center April 20, 2010.

The summit's focus was on preparing future leaders of the Air Force, according to the events' organizers.

"The Junior Enlisted Summit impacts the base by arming our future leaders with information that they can pass on to their peers and supervisors," said Senior Master Sgt. Vivian Bolden, 22nd Force Support Squadron professional development coordinator.

The event, developed by Sergeant Bolden and Chief Master Sgt. Tim Horn, 22nd Air Refueling Wing command chief. Was divided into 28 briefs showcasing the variety of services McConnell offers and the resources the Airmen have.

"The significance of all these briefs is to enhance awareness of the programs available at McConnell by providing information to the Airmen," said Sergeant Bolden.

Among the briefers were representatives from; the Education Center, the commissary, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Safe Riders, BOD POD/Running Shoe Evaluation, Airman's Council, the base exchange, Finance, the club manager, The new physical training assessments, the Airman's Attic, Itinerary Travel and Tickets, Airman Leadership School, the Happenings, the base Honor Guard, the Inspector General, the PT uniform, the Nutritionist, New Parents Support, Career Assistance Advisor, Outdoor Recreation, Joint Expeditionary Tasking and Friends of McConnell.

All provided informational briefs on their mission at McConnell. In addition to the mission briefs, McConnell Airmen offered first-hand stories of today's fight and shared their personal experiences in deployment and other factors of life.

"It prepared me in all aspects of my military life, giving me information on [physical training], base facilities, and career opportunities," said Airman 1st Class Sara Moore, 22nd Medical Support Squadron records technician. "The summit gave Airmen who are too afraid or haven't even thought of the questions a chance to hear answers."

She said while each of the briefings provided valuable information, she enjoyed hearing about the personal stories the briefers shared.

"This event impacted me greatly; it gave me a lot of information in a large forum," said Airman Moore. "The personal stories were especially informative because it was personal, not just information from a book."

In addition to sharing services offered, McConnell's senior leadership used the vent to help the junior Airmen understand how they impact the base's mission.

"The summit supported the base priorities, Ready Mission, Ready Base and Ready Airmen, by providing the resources for the Airmen to succeed," said Sergeant Bolden. "The summit also helped boost morale by giving Airmen the opportunity to network with people in their peer group and talk to one another and find out how they feel about current subjects."

Chief Horn concluded the summit with a question and answer session. Following the interaction, the chief asked one question, "Who learned something today?"

Throughout the audience hands were raised high.