CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
My question to you is "Why not First Six?"
The Team Charleston First Six Association is a professional organization that caters to the E-6 and below community. Our mission is to represent the voices of Team Charleston's enlisted members, Airman basic through technical sergeant, on issues affecting prestige, morale, welfare and esprit de corps.
We aim to improve the morale of Charleston AFB's Airmen and to keep you mentally ready to accomplish the mission. This organization is an avenue for us Airmen to resolve issues that affect our mental readiness as described in AFI 36-2618, Enlisted Force Structure. We do this by encompassing a wide variety of personal and professional development strategies into our agendas to hopefully make us better Airmen. We use our direct link to the wing's command chief master sergeant to address the issues and concerns that affect our productivity.
As an association, we get involved in base-sponsored and local community activities. In the past two months, we've hosted the staff sergeant promotion release party, babysat during the Air Force Ball and Airmen Leadership School graduation, set up for a local company's picnic, participated in the 437th Airlift Wing's Prisoners of War Missing in Action 24-hour vigil run, helped build a home with Habitat-for-Humanity and volunteered packaging food at the Lowcountry Food Bank.
So, I ask the question again, "Why not First Six?" But after hearing all this, the question may still linger in your mind, "What's in it for me? Why First Six?"
Well, here are my four reasons for why you should become a member of the First Six.
1. Enlisted Performance Report bullet. The Enlisted Force Structure tells us we should promote organizational esprit de corps and foster good community relations by supporting professional organizations as well as unit, base and Air Force events.
2. Recognition. Active participation will not only get you the bullets you may need for your next EPR, but it will also get your name and face out around the base and get you recognized for things like quarterly awards. We have also recently implemented a recognition program we call the First Six Member of the Quarter. This recognition is given to an active member who has significantly contributed to the advancement of our organization. If I may take a moment, I'd like to recognize the first recipient of the First Six Member of the Quarter, Tech. Sgt. Lisa Spicer, 437th Communications Squadron. Sergeant Spicer has given of herself and her personal time on numerous occasions and has been a member we can always count on.
3. To meet people. Volunteering builds character, self esteem and overall self improvement. It also opens up doors for new friendships. We all have a basic need for belonging and you will find yourself building camaraderie with your fellow Airmen through involvement.
4. Free stuff. Upon joining, you will receive a membership card and a gift symbolizing your association with our organization. Once you have attended six meetings and gotten six punches on your membership card, we will give you a First Six t-shirt. Participating in six First Six-sponsored volunteer events will earn you a First Six coin. We also offer free food to those who attend our meetings.
With these four things in mind, hopefully I have sparked your interest in the Team Charleston First Six Association. We meet the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. in the Charleston Club.
To get more information or to join, you may e-mail me at nina.murphy@charleston.af.mil, or call me at 963-5497.