CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, in an effort to create a leaner and more efficient force, several Air Force Specialty Codes have been realigned.
This realignment of AFSCs is designed to merge related career fields to increase efficiency. As these mergers are announced, many of you may have concerns about your new duties and responsibilities. Those of you who are excelling in your current career fields may be concerned about how you will perform after your AFSC is merged with another.
To ease your concerns, I can tell you there are smart mergers that have been quite successful. One example is the joining of the public affairs and still photography AFSCs. This is a natural blend of complementing skill sets that, when brought together, produce positive results. Now, instead of two career fields, we have one that produces a professional who can both capture an event visually and relate that event in a way that is consistent with the Air Force point of view.
Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla and Airman 1st Class Nicholas Pilch are two Charleston Airmen who have embraced this challenging change. They have been working as public affairs journeymen for the past 4 months and have been doing well in their new career field.
Recently, Airman Pilch covered the Air Force Sergeants Association Conference in Orlando, Fla. He was there to take pictures of the event while using his new public affairs training to document the event. His performance earned him accolades in the form of a Letter of Appreciation and a coin from the chief master sergeant of the Air Force.
Sergeant Quintanilla is also a fantastic photographer and story teller. Her photos and stories have been featured in the Air Force Times, Army Times, Air Force Link, and Defense Link. We are fortunate to have them both.
Although you may be concerned about changes to your career field, embrace them. You never know what may happen.
Last week, I had the pleasure of addressing Airman Leadership School's graduating class 07-F. This class was a Total Force class that included Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members. It was interesting to see the class transform from timid and apprehensive Airmen on their first day of class to energetic and motivated leaders at graduation. Congratulations and best wishes for a brilliant career.
Special congratulations to the award winners. The Distinguished Graduates were Staff Sgt. Burt Traynor from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Senior Airman Ryan Sova from the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Senior Airman Joseph Terrell from the 437th Medical Operations Squadron. The Leadership Award winner was Airman Terrell. The Academic Achievement Award winner was Sergeant Traynor. The top honor went to the John L. Levitow Award winner, Senior Airman Michael LaRoche from the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
Finally, congratulations to the Sept. promotion recipients. I am proud of you all and I know you are ready to accept the added responsibility that comes with your promotion. I know you will be an example to those you lead and work beside every day. Do them proud.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!