20 CGOs attend mentoring program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. William-Joseph Mojica
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Developed by Lt. Col. Tony Marlowe, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander and Mr. Bob Sayer, 7th Force Support Squadron Community Readiness Consultant, the program began in the Logistics Readiness Squadron. With interest sparking amongst the 7th Mission Support Group, the program was opened to the 7th MSG CGOs, and eventually the entire base.

Nine captains, nine first lieutenants and two second lieutenants enrolled in the course, which successfully concluded its third two-day session Sept. 18. Though the course is open to all CGOs, it is designed for those less experienced.

"It's really targeted for officers that are one year, post the Aerospace Basic Course, but it is really open to any CGO," said Colonel Marlowe. "The course is designed to help each CGO reach his or her full potential, thereby enhancing the overall professionalism of the Air Force."

The first guess speaker was Col. James Murray, 7th Mission Support Group commander, who educated the CGOs on current Air Force matters. Current infrastructure of the Air Force, visions and solutions for the future, recapitalizing within the Air Force, career opportunities and promotions were among key topics.

Next the CGOs spoke with Maj. Nolan Corpuz, 7th Force Support Squadron commander, who talked about officer force development, officer developmental education and the officer assignment system.

"Force development deliberately develops you as you go through your career, basically taking care and making sure that we develop all of our officer's for those senior level positions later on in their careers," said Major Corpuz.

Later that day, Col. Robert Gass, 7th Bomb Wing commander, shared his insight of leadership challenges with the group. During this session, Colonel Gass compared and contrasted various portions of the 1949 film, Twelve O'clock High.

Perhaps the most beneficial of all was the discussion centered on writing effective reports. Throughout this segment of the workshop, an assortment of scenarios were analyzed and the CGOs were provided the opportunity to prepare bullet statements for the characters in the scenarios.

Some of the other notable discussions included the following: a video tele-conference with Brig. Gen. Teresa A. H. Djuric, commander Maxwell Air Force Base Ala. Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development; leadership principles by Bob Sayer, 7th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant; a discussion with Col. Bernard Mater, 317th Airlift Group commander; a chiefs perspective with Chief Master Sgt. David Goldie, 7th Bomb Wing command chief; a squadron commander's panel and a chief master sergeant's panel. During each of these discussions, the CGOs were fielded the opportunity to engage with the speakers and ask questions seeking mentorship.

The CGO Mentorship Program certainly proved to be a beneficial workshop. Not only were the CGOs given guidance from numerous leaders from the base, they were also introduced to other CGOs signed up for the workshop.

"It was a great experience and I learned a lot," said 1st Lt. Claire Hruska, 7th Operation Support squadron, assistant weather flight commander. "I got to network with other CGOs across the base from all different career fields and I heard lots of valuable advice and experience from wing leadership both enlisted and officer."