CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
After 22 years of service, I have noticed some things never change, including our professional organizations.
Many of the organizations I hold near and dear to my heart are the Air Force Sergeants Association, Chiefs Group, Top Three, First Sergeants Association, First Six and the African American Heritage Council, just to name a few.
Throughout my career in the Air Force, I have seen change after change, but the one constant is the outstanding support members get from professional organizations. These organizations give each of us an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and give us a chance to make a difference in our units, the wing and the local community.
These professional organizations provide service members great opportunities to network and get to know other members of their base and the local community. The regular meetings are a great way to obtain valuable information about what your organization is doing for both the base and the community. These meetings also provide time to mentor one another and brainstorm on how to improve processes, take care of Airmen and their families, and groom them for their next position and career move. Members also learn how to become better supervisors, leaders and mentors from each other. Members will take on more responsibilities when they volunteer to chair a committee and will get to see how everything comes together, starting from a vision, to the culmination of the event.
The local community benefits greatly from these professional organizations. From building homes through Habitat for Humanity, packing boxes of food at the Lowcountry Food Bank, mentoring at local schools and assisting during testing sessions, to cleaning up roadways through Adopt-A-Highway, members of professional organizations are their leaving their mark.
It is evident the efforts of the few are noticed by our community partners by the awards the wing has received. The events hosted here on the base are supported by our Advisory Council members and Honorary Commanders faithfully. They continuously express their gratitude for all Charleston AFB does to ensure our base and local community is taken care of.
Team Charleston, you never let them down. With all this being said, it is up to each of us to do our part and support our professional organizations and the local community. There are plenty of professional organizations like the ones mentioned previously. I challenge each of you who are not involved, to get involved and become a member of one.