Professional development key to Airmen's success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Dick
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  In a culture where deployments are part of daily life and Airmen regularly perform duties above their rank, professional development is an important piece of cultivating the enlisted force to meet mission requirements, Air Force leaders said recently at the 2011 Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference.

Though many venues exist for enlisted Airmen to flourish, AFSA's Professional Airmen's Conference, which was held this year here from July 23 through 27, is an annual opportunity for many to join together and learn.

"Professional development is a combination of learning your career field, but also what the Air Force needs, including the changing events going on," said Master Sgt. Shana Cullum, a Reserve first sergeant with the 932nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron based in Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "It keeps everybody up to speed on the Air Force and what's upcoming, preparing us for the future. Professional development ... you can't go forward without it."

Held in conjunction with the organization's international convention, the PAC consists of professional forums mixed with breakout sessions based on rank or special duty.

"It's always great when you combine a variety of (people in) different backgrounds, bases and career fields who put their heads together, sharing their stories and examples," Cullum said. "It's also motivating to know you're not in the boat alone ... everybody is having the same issues and problems, but together we come up with better solutions."

As part of the conference, top enlisted leaders from four combatant commands held a panel discussion to address issues, concerns and questions while providing their professional insight. The panel included U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the command sergeant major of U.S. Joint Forces Command; Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson, the command chief master sergeant and command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Daniel Millier, the U.S. Cyber Command senior enlisted leader; and Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Narofsky, the command chief master sergeant of U.S. Strategic Command.

The panel highlighted the importance of investing in training and education, building relationships with joint and coalition forces, building capacity and capability, and providing joint training opportunities in Airmen Leadership School for Marine, Army and Navy brethren.

Several Air Force leaders also presented their major command perspective, which covered topics Airmen face globally.

Gen. William Fraser, the commander of Air Combat Command, highlighted the need to take care of Airmen and their families -- a recurring theme throughout PAC -- and ACC's Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Program, which focuses on maintaining Airmen's social, mental, physical and spiritual fitness. Fraser also addressed the need for "innovative" Airmen to fight today's fight and come up with ideas for future challenges.

While many professional development opportunities prepare warfighters for worldwide combat operations, Airmen must also sharpen their job skills to be prepared at a moment's notice to provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.

Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Gary North communicated the importance of being ready to go when he discussed PACAF's recent involvement in Operation Tomadachi. He showcased the integrated effort between the Air Force and Japan, as well as with other joint and coalition forces, to support Japan's rescue and recovery operations.

According to Callum, Airmen getting together for these forums help in rumor control.

"We're all given the same information at the same time from the same sources -- it solves a lot of rumors that could be out there and helps dispel those rumors already present," she said.

As attendees head home from AFSA's PAC, they take with them increased knowledge, new experiences and camaraderie to improve themselves and the Air Force.

"The conference was an interesting and motivating experience," said Airman 1st Class Mashwelle Batres, who is with the 624th Regional Support Group based in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "It's always great to meet those you have heard so much about. I can't wait to get back and put the information I learned into practice."