F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Professional organizations on base each have different sets of ethos, rules and benefits for participants, but their sole focus is to improve themselves and the Airmen around them.
There are five professional organizations offered to the base’s current and future leaders, which include the following: Airman’s Council for ranks of airman basic to senior airman; Lead 5/6 for staff sergeants and technical sergeants; Top 3 for master sergeant through chief master sergeant; Company Grade Officers’ Council for second lieutenant to captain; and Air Force Sergeants Association, which any enlisted Airman can join.
The 90th Missile Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Steagall, has been part of multiple private organizations throughout his career and stressed the importance of Airmen joining in.
“Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to be the president of a unit-level booster club, a Rising 5 and Top 3 Council, and served as the president of an AFSA chapter,” Steagall said. “I can say without any hesitation that my involvement in these organizations, and the opportunity I had to lead them, catapulted me as a leader, making me who I am today.”
These professional organizations meet once a month and provide professional development opportunities, community service outings, networking events and even the ability to lobby with Congress.
“I feel the Airman’s Council gives junior Airmen a chance to really get involved and get their voice heard on base,” said Airman 1st Class Steven Bryant, 90th Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental technician. “It’s really beneficial for growing as a leader and giving back to the 90th MW, whether it’s participating in events, volunteering across the base and in the community, or working with other private organizations to bring about change on base.”
Organizations often work with each other to fulfill their goals and put on events, and members also learn more about different units on base.
“Understanding how other organizations on base operate is crucial to wing mission success,” said 1st Lt. Heather Steed, 90th Security Forces Group safety officer and CGOC president. “The CGOC allows us to come together from our different squadrons and helps us understand the struggles and processes of other agencies.”
The common theme found in all the private organizations is the continual building of Air Force leaders.
“These organizations are the lifeblood of many of our recognition programs, but more importantly, they are absolutely crucial to developing young Airmen into effective and credible leaders by helping them develop their project management, multi-tasking and communications skills," Steagall said. “I highly encourage both officers and enlisted members to get involved and make a difference in our community, while reaping the benefit of expanding their leadership abilities."
The following is a breakdown of each organization:
Airman’s Council
The Airman’s Council promotes goodwill, fellowship, harmony, morale and welfare among the Airmen of F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. This private organization is the liaison between Airmen and leadership when they do not know who to turn to with questions or ideas, and also serves as a source of recreational and volunteer opportunities to help Airmen grow within the whole Airman concept.
The Airman’s Council currently meets the third Wednesday of each month.
Lead 5/6
Lead 5/6 is an organization that assists new non-commissioned officers, as well as experienced NCOs, by creating a network between members to share ideas and philosophies in order to become better leaders. The organization encourages expression of ideas on mentoring, evaluation and constructive communication. Lead 5/6 creates an environment for improvement within the enlisted force and educates members on changes or issues affecting them in order to improve quality of life both on and off duty.
Lead 5/6 currently meets the third Friday of each month.
Top 3
The organization takes care of all enlisted Airmen across the 90th MW by communicating concerns and trends seen within the base units. Members of Top 3 communicate those trends to the level of leadership that younger Airmen may feel uncomfortable addressing. Top 3 establishes networking relationships to help members achieve personal goals and mission accomplishment. This organization is composed of committed and dedicated leaders.
Top 3 currently meets the second Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
Company Grade Officers’ Council
The CGOC serves as a semi-formal atmosphere for networking within the wing and other bases. CGOs grow by networking, professional development, cross-talk, community service, project officer experience and spending time with peers.
CGOC currently meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m., in the Hideout room at the Trail’s End Event Center.
Air Force Sergeants Association
AFSA's goal is to lobby on behalf of U.S. Air Force veterans. The main focus is ensuring Air Force members have a voice in Congress concerning benefits for service members, past and present. Fundraisers and other events are held throughout the year to spread AFSA’s message and to provide fun events for local Airmen.
AFSA currently meets every second Thursday of each month.
For more details, the following representatives can provide more information for each private organization.
Airman’s Council: Senior Airman Katelin Reed
Lead 5/6: Tech. Sgt. Cory Galaz
Top 3: Master Sgt. Karen Harr
Company Grade Officers’ Council: 1st Lt. Heather Steed
Air Force Sergeants Association: Master Sgt. Christopher Stokes