Seminar promotes professional growth among enlisted corps Published Dec. 7, 2007 By John Scaggs Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A cross flow of information with peers along with receiving updates on key Air Force issues were among the benefits gained by 69 Airmen who attended an enlisted professional development seminar here Dec. 4-6. Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command hosted the sessions in the Hope Hotel here. Briefing topics ranged from strategic communication; to changes in the enlisted performance report, an evaluation tool that rates enlisted members' conduct, duty performance, leadership abilities, dress and appearance, and communicative abilities; to the latest on air expeditionary force issues, including the impact these deployments have on military families. Attendees were selected from among AFMC's 10 bases and represented all enlisted ranks. According to one first sergeant, observing the interaction between junior Airmen and senior noncommissioned officers was priceless. "When you have free-flowing discussions on a topic involving the perspectives of senior airmen and chief master sergeants, you listen and take away portions that will work for you at your respective base," said Master Sgt. Keith Baber, the first sergeant for the 898th Munitions Squadron at Kirtland AFB, N.M. "As a first sergeant, I'm responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a squadron and serve as the chief adviser to the squadron commander concerning the enlisted force," Sergeant Baber explained. "Having the opportunity to hear the philosophies of AFMC's senior enlisted leaders first-hand will help me fulfill my responsibilities." The seminar featured a variety of guest speakers, including the eighth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Sam Parish. He encouraged all enlisted members to take advantage of professional military education opportunities. "PME puts the arrows in your quiver to help you grow and make a difference," Chief Parish said. "Use the knowledge you gain and mentor your subordinates. "Get to know your subordinates and their families," Chief Parish continued. "Strive to leave your organization in better condition than when you arrived." Nine of the attending Airmen also joined Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Hake, the AFMC command chief master sergeant, and met with 23 members of the AFMC commander's Community Leadership Program, or CLP, Dec. 6. This group, composed of civic leaders from 11 communities where major AFMC organizations are located, was visiting with Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, to gain insight into the command's diverse mission. General Carlson meets with CLP members twice a year to help build public trust and support for the Air Force. Chief Hake and the nine Airmen formed two panels: one composed of junior Airmen and a mid-level noncommissioned officer; the second composed of senior NCOs. The Airmen outlined their jobs in the Air Force and answered questions from CLP members, which focused on stories the CLP members had heard about deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In his closing remarks to the seminar attendees, Chief Hake encouraged people to approach each task with the same enthusiasm. "Some tasks or assignments may not seem as rewarding as others," Chief Hake said. "But you should do your best no matter the situation at hand. I hope you will take what you've learned here this week and apply it to your work centers, because each of you makes a difference in how AFMC operates and how this command delivers warfighting capabilities."