AF leaders gather to talk professionalism Published Dec. 11, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANOTNIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force leaders discussed the future of professionalism in the total force and how to forge better Airmen during a summit here Dec. 2-3. Nearly 80 leaders from all major commands joined stakeholders from Headquarters Air force, Air University, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Air Force Guard and Reserve to pool resources and learn what the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence has to offer. This is the second professionalism summit hosted by PACE, the Air Force’s newly minted office dedicated to developing Airmen with a sense of what it means to be a true professional. “Foremost, the purpose of PACE's professionalism summit is to ensure all MAJCOMs have a common understanding of what the Air Force is doing to further Airmen’s professional development. We aim to let all stakeholders, across the Air Force, know it's time for a new day in how we're building our Airmen,” said Daniel Woolever, PACE’s program management division chief. “Additionally, the summit is a springboard to build a network of professional development partners across the Air Force.” According to Thomas Norling, a PACE program analyst who coordinated this year’s event, “Colleagues from across the Air Force collaborated for two days talking about our culture, building a better Airman, and infusing our core values into the profession of arms in new and exciting ways.” Participants were offered talks on current PACE enterprises and the office’s proactive approach to building a more professional, core value-centered environment. The group was also encouraged to share their own ideas and plans. Discussion included best practices, new strategies and stretched outside the borders of the active-duty force. “One aspect of the summit that I found extremely refreshing was the significant discussion on enhancing our civilian professional development opportunities,” Norling said. “Our Air Force has a vast population of seasoned civilian professionals who truly are Airmen.” The PACE organization plans to keep hosting the professionalism summit, with another event planned next year. For more information on PACE and its current initiatives, visit www.airman.af.mil.