KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah W. Ross, 7th Air Force command chief, hosted the first Chiefs Symposium for Chief Master Sergeants stationed throughout the Korean Peninsula at the Dragon Hill Lodge, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey, ROK, Oct. 12-13.
After five months of planning, 38 of 7th Air Force’s most senior enlisted leaders gathered to nourish their professional leadership skills in a collective environment.
“The reality is that development can stop at this rank so this symposium is set up to ensure Chiefs continue to receive tools and development to take back to their work centers,” said Chief Master Sgt. Steven G. Creek, 8th Fighter Wing command chief.
The symposium featured key speakers from Pacific Air Forces and Headquarters Air Force.
Two of the most prominent virtual briefer’s were Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, and Chief Master Sgt. John Alsvig, Air Force first sergeant special duty manager, also known as Diamond 1.
Both Bass and Alsvig provided the attendees a top level perspective on common unit level obstacles as well as ways Chiefs can support reoptimization of the force within their units.
Anthony Cruz Munoz, Pacific Air Forces diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility chief, attended the symposium in-person and shared with the Chiefs the importance of DEIA and how they can use their role as leaders to foster an inclusive environment.
For Creek, the most personally impactful briefing came from the host of the symposium.
“Hearing Chief Ross’ personal reflection of a time when he pushed himself too hard as a command chief reemphasized to me that no matter where you are in your career, you have to pay attention to the signs your body, mind and loved ones are giving you,” said Creek. “It was so important to hear his vulnerabilities so I and others can pay attention to our own signs and learn when to take a step back, trust those around us to pick up the slack, and take care of ourselves personally so in the long run we’ll always be able to take care of the people and mission.”
Taking care of those in your charge so they can take care of the mission is a core responsibility of not only Chief Master Sergeants but all enlisted supervisors. That is why a notable takeaway for Chief Master Sgt. Ismail Taylor-Kamara, 8th Mission Support Group senior enlisted leader, were discussions on the Air Force’s recent optimization of professional military education through the Enlisted Airmen Continuum.
“Supervisors need to embrace this new model of enlisted professional development,” said Taylor-Kamara. “It gives Airmen tools much earlier in their careers and as they progress through the ranks.”
Within the Enlisted Force Development Model, the EAC connects institutional, functional, and base delivered education, training, and experiences. The EAC is introduced at Basic Military Training, reinforced by Foundational Competencies in each AFSC’s Career Field Education and Training Plan, and embedded throughout the entire continuum.
Read more about the EFD Model here.