AFSOC Chiefs' Orientation sheds light on leadership role

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Coffey
  • AFSOC command chief assistant
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  More than 20 top enlisted members got a crash course in what it means to be an Air Force Special Operations Command chief master sergeant through the AFSOC Chiefs' Orientation held here Jan. 22-25.

The senior master sergeants and chief master sergeants who attended the orientation came from AFSOC units around the world.

While here, their days were filled with discussions and training with some of the top leaders in AFSOC, including Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley, AFSOC commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gilbert, AFSOC command chief.

"The course brings together our new senior enlisted leaders from across AFSOC and gives them a thorough understanding of how we all work together," Chief Gilbert said. "We give them the tools and information they'll need to best get the mission done and to take care of their Airmen."

First on the agenda for the attendees was an early morning exercise call. Before the sun had even risen, attendees gathered on the grass at the Aderholt gym for calisthenics and laps around the track.

After PT, the senior noncommissioned officers spent their days in briefings and tours, including a trip to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School.

At USAFSOS, attendees were briefed on anti-terrorism issues and had a hands-on weapons familiarization course. The familiarization course took place at the Hurlburt Field shooting range, and attendees got to fire the AK-47 rifle.

In addition, specially trained range personnel demonstrated the "Molotov cocktail," a potent explosive typically used in contemporary terrorist attacks.

Other highlights of the course included a detailed command mission brief, discussions on current issues with each AFSOC directorate leader and a visit to the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, which provides a home for the widows of enlisted servicemembers.

The new chiefs also enjoyed a question and answer session with General Wooley and the eighth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, retired Chief Sam Parish.

The attendees cited the camaraderie and education gained from the orientation course as its greatest benefit.

"I want to be a great chief, not a good chief, and I believe that this course gave me the perspective I needed to get focused on what is important, what I need to do and how to do it," said Senior Master Sgt. Lynn Lawrence, 1st Special Operations Wing Medical Group. "I know how my role will tie into the mission of the 1st SOW, AFSOC and the United States Air Force. It was totally worthwhile and humbling at the same time."
For more information, visit www.Hurlburt.af.mil.