CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Air Force Sergeants Association met to discuss issues Airmen are facing in the Air Force for a week starting Aug. 19 at a conference in Orlando, Fla.
"Air Force professional organizations are important to Air Force people and the mission," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "These organizations enhance the professional development of our Airmen and provide visibility for our air, space and cyberspace missions at a grass roots-level around the nation."
AFSA is a group of Airmen who are active in the Air Force and Airmen who have been in the service, including retirees and veterans. These Airmen go to Capitol Hill and fight for rights in the Air Force for improved quality of life and economic fairness that will support the well-being of Air Force enlisted Airmen and their families.
"Not only does this organization represent us on Capital Hill, but it also plays an important part in professional development," said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Frank, 437th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "Whether an Airman 1st class or a chief master sergeant, I believe everyone better understands our heritage and the issues at hand today and, furthermore, I believe our enlisted corps is better prepared to lead into the future because of AFSA."
Sergeant Frank said Airmen from a variety of units on Charleston attended the AFSA convention, positively representing Team Charleston as well as our local AFSA Chapter 306.
"The conference was an incredible experience and it was a great chance to hear perspectives from Air Force senior enlisted leadership firsthand," said Senior Airman Will Perry, 437th Airlift Wing Protocol protocol specialist. "The briefings were incredible, and gave me exposure to parts of the Air Force which, as a first-term Airman, I have not yet experienced."
During this week, the first sergeants also came together for their 13th annual worldwide first sergeants conference.
"The first sergeants conference enhances cross-communication to these senior enlisted leaders who are key to the morale, welfare and leadership of our Airmen," said Chief McKinley. "Subject matter experts brief total force first sergeants on upcoming changes in the Air Force, leadership challenges, quality-of-life, health, morale and welfare matters."
Throughout the week, the first sergeants and Airmen met daily to be updated on different programs such as enlisted professional military education, Air Force Aid, Air Force Enlisted Village, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and professional development.
"Senior Master Sgt. Ed Felix and Master Sgt. Ken Mast represented the active and reserve wings from Team Charleston," said Sergeant Frank. "They not only brought up important issues while at the conference, but also returned to Charleston with a wealth of information to help all of the first sergeants on Charleston AFB."
With plenty of information presented to the base's first sergeants, they also met and networked with many other first sergeants from across the Air Force.
"We had a mix of new and experienced first sergeants, and I believe they all walked away with a sense of what direction our career field is heading, as well as informative facts about a variety of programs we have on the horizon," said Sergeant Frank. "Although not the primary purpose of our conference, all of our first sergeants were able to network and these new-found contacts will ultimately help our shirts develop their Airmen."
Airmen will take what they learned back to their units and spread the word of the AFSA.
"I had the privilege of seeing how a worldwide Air Force enlisted professional organization does business at the highest level," said Airman Perry. "It was an experience which will not be forgotten."