JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The First 6 Association here recently split into the 5/6 Association and Junior Enlisted Council, allowing each organization to focus on the professional development of their members based on their respective rank.
The First Six Association was originally created to represent the voice of Team Charleston’s enlisted members of E-1 through E-6 for issues affecting morale, welfare and esprit de corps.
“The First Six was effective, but not as effective as it could have been,” said Staff Sgt. Brain Corbin, 628th Air Base Wing Equal Opportunity Office 5/6 Association vice president. “What everyone needs for their rank is different. By having everyone together, I felt we were limiting what the NCOs could have been learning while providing the junior enlisted members a lot of information they didn’t care to receive at the time.”
The Junior Enlisted Council held its first meeting April 19 and is still developing a mission statement. The council plans to mentor junior enlisted service members on the tools needed to be successful leaders. The council is open to the Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen of Joint Base Charleston between the ranks of E-1 to E-4.
“We’re hoping to have more of a turnout at the second meeting,” said Senior Airman Joseph Kohnke, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron engineer assistant and Junior Enlisted Council president. “We want to know what everyone wants for this private organization. It’s not just for me or one individual person, it’s for all of us junior enlisted ranks. We want to hear everyone’s ideas so we can put them together and figure out how to better serve everyone.”
The Junior Enlisted Council regularly hosts volunteer events including working at food banks, assisting the Relay for Life and participating with the Adopt a Highway programs. The 5/6 Association focuses on creating successful NCOs.
“We’re more focused on professional development and leading mentorship events,” said Corbin. “We’re trying to mentor the Junior Enlisted Council as well. Not too much has changed other than we are delivering a lot more professional development instead of giving Airmen information they don’t need.”
The 5/6 Association held its first meeting April 13. The association’s mission is to develop NCOs by improving their work centers through networking with leadership and other base organizations. Members of all military branches, and are either an E-5 or E-6, on JB Charleston are eligible to join the 5/6.
The 5/6 plans to continue holding meetings on the second Thursday of every month and the council plans to hold their meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Both meetings are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Charleston Club.
The Top 3 Association holds meetings for Team Charleston’s senior enlisted leaders on the second Wednesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. in the Charleston Club.