Southwestern Illinois wins Abilene Trophy again

by Courtesy of Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois

4/28/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Southwestern Illinois area was presented the coveted Abilene Trophy April 17 for the second time in the last three years in recognition of the extensive support demonstrated during 2014 for Scott Air Force Base's military members and their families.

Also known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, the award is presented annually to recognize the community that provides the finest support to an Air Mobility Command unit. The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois spearheaded this year's nomination on behalf of the St. Louis region, submitting an application that highlighted a series of "firsts" that really brought to life the depth of the region's ongoing commitment for the men and women at Scott. The award will be presented to the base in the near future.

"2014 was a remarkable year in 'Scott Country,' during which new programs, initiatives and milestones, combined with ongoing efforts, helped to build on the region's solid foundation of support for the men, women and families of Scott AFB and further strengthened the unique bond we share," said Ellen Krohne, Executive Director of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. "As with the win in 2013, it was widespread regional support that propelled us into the No. 1 slot again, and we thank the many individuals, businesses, organizations and communities whose continuing passion to serve our military families has us now looking forward to bringing the Abilene Trophy back to Scott Air Force Base."

Among the firsts showcased in the nomination were:

· Air Force Times ranking of Scott AFB as the No. 1 air base in the nation for airmen, and the many reasons contributing to that honor;

· The role of regional leaders in securing passage of House Bill 3939, which assured for the first time ever that prior schooling counts for the children of military families transitioning to Scott AFB;

· The first ever "Salute to Scott Air Force Base" as the Leadership Council dedicated its entire annual awards dinner to Scott AFB, highlighting the base and the individual missions housed there;

· Launch of the first-of-its kind networking event for veterans to help facilitate employment in Southwestern Illinois for as many separating military as possible;

· Celebration of the first Anniversary of the Scott Patriot Program, which had grown to include an impressive 650 Patriots demonstrating their "military friendly" commitment through discounts or other support; and

· A summary of various other ways the region continues to further its first class system of support for the airmen and their families.

Representatives from the Abilene Trophy selection committee cited the definitive examples of support highlighted in this year's application, and the comprehensiveness of the package in its entirety, as factors that led to the Leadership Council's application capturing first place among the communities vying for the 2014 award.

The announcement was made April 15 by Gen. Darren McDew, Commander of Air Mobility Command, and Gray Bridwell, Chair of the Military Affairs Committee for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, during an annual spring conference held at Scott Air Force Base.

On-hand for the announcement was Col. Kyle Kremer, 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander, who had the pleasure of calling the Leadership Council to relay the exciting news.

"Last year Air Force Times named Scott as the best base to be stationed in the Air Force due to the quality of life and community support here," said Kremer. "This second Abilene Trophy win in three years further highlights the superior relationship between the base and our Southwest Illinois community. We are grateful for their heartfelt patriotism and support, and are very proud to call them our family and friends. Congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition!"

The official presentation of the Abilene Trophy will take place at a community-wide celebration in the coming weeks, and more details will be forthcoming as the plans are finalized. In the meantime, regional leaders are relishing the repeat victory as Scott Air Force Base becomes one of a very select group of bases to have won the Abilene Trophy more than once.

Gerry Schuetzenhofer, Chairman of the Leadership Council's Military Affairs Committee, said, "It's impossible to truly understand the depth of the sacrifices made by the airmen of the Air Mobility Command Unit at Scott Air Force Base without walking in their combat boots. Nor, can we fully comprehend the extent to which this type of service impacts the personal lives of their family members. What a community can do, however, is what the businesses and individuals of the bi-state St. Louis region are doing - continually seeking ways to honor these individuals through demonstrating our respect, recognizing their contributions and taking action to enhance their quality of life while they are living here. We are thankful for the Abilene Committee's consideration of our year of 'firsts' and the role they play in helping the heroes at Scott Air Force Base, and their families, to thrive."

About the Abilene Award

The AMC Community Support Award was established Jan. 1, 1999 by the Military Affairs Committee of Abilene, Texas, and the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. The award originated in 1989 under a different Command but Air Mobility Command assumed sponsorship of the award in 1999, at which time it was renamed the Abilene Trophy. The award is now presented annually by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) Military Affairs Committee and the Commander, Air Mobility Command to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AMC base. The award is sponsored by the ACOC Military Affairs Committee, and administered jointly by the committee and the Air Mobility Command Office of Public Affairs. The award is to provide recognition for activities conducted between January and December of the preceding year. The City of Abilene is not eligible to receive this award. For more information, contact Debra Morotini at the Abilene Chamber of Commerce at (325) 677-7241 or at dmorotini@abilenechamber.com.

Governor talks leadership, giving credit away

by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs

4/27/2015 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The governor of Nebraska spoke on leadership during the 2015 Spring Airmen Leadership Conference April 15 in the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility auditorium.

The Honorable Pete Ricketts began his tenure Jan. 8 of this year, but is not short on leadership experience. He is the former Chief Operating Officer of Ameritrade and currently sits on several boards to include the Chicago Cubs baseball team and Bellevue University, Nebraska.

This was the first bi-annual ALC, and its audience was comprised of enlisted service members E-4 and below. For many, hearing from the governor was a rare treat.

"The ALC is meant to provide leadership and mentorship possibilities for our soldiers, sailors, and airmen," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevon Brooks, 55th Intelligence Support Squadron unit training manager, and event coordinator. "One of the goals of the team, who organized the event, was to provide exposure for E-4s and below to things and leaders they do not see every day, and the governor fit that perfectly."

Ricketts began by showing his gratitude to the attendees.

"I want to start out by thanking all of you for your service to our country," Ricketts said. "I have traveled the state more than most over the last year and a half, and I can tell you Nebraskans all across the state are very proud of your service. It is privilege to be here today."

Then he jumped straight into his views on leadership. He started by squashing the notion that a leader is the person in charge.

"That is not the case," Ricketts said. "Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader."

He also touched on what it takes to be a successful leader including being a good follower, being generous with one's time at work, in the community, with friends and with family, and remembering it is not about what, but who, they want to be.

"One of the things I found throughout my career, is that leadership by example, being the first person in and the last to leave, the one who doesn't ask anyone to do something they wouldn't do, goes a long way," Ricketts said. "People recognize that. It is the key to getting them bought in."

He also recognized if the person in charge thinks they have all the answers, they will fail.

"Listen to people," Ricketts said. "Understand what they want. Don't think because you are in charge, that you have to know everything."

One of his final thoughts was on the importance of making a good team and sharing the credit.

"One of my heroes, Ronald Regan, had a great quote, 'It is amazing what can be done if you don't care who gets the credit,'" Ricketts said. "Leadership is about the mission. If you are giving credit away, a lot of amazing things will happen."

Becoming an Effective and Powerful Public Speaker

The May 14, 2015, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Josh Weddell, police officer, military veteran and motivational speaker.

Program Date:  May 14, 2015

Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC

Topic: Becoming an Effective and Powerful Public Speaker

Listen Live http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2015/05/14/becoming-an-effective-and-powerful-public-speaker

About the Guest

Josh Weddell as 19 years of experience in public service.  He has been a volunteer firefighter, is a military veteran and now a police officer.  Josh is also the owner ofNever Give Up Solutions, providing “speeches to motivate, encourage, inspire, team work and stress management to all types of audiences.”

About the Watering Hole

The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

           

About the Host

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen from the Archive:

http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/becoming_a_public_speaker.html

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA

editor@police-writers.com

909.599.7530

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/809648905784432/

Northwest First Class Petty Officers Meet for Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Seth Coulter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 300 first class petty officers (FCPO) from multiple commands in the Pacific Northwest met for a two-day leadership symposium at Bangor Plaza, Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, April 7-8.

The symposium was hosted by Navy Region Northwest and coordinated by the Intermediate Maintenance Facility and Naval Base Kitsap First Class Petty Officer Associations (FCPOA).

"Setting up the logistics to have this meeting was very difficult, but to see so many people joined together in one room is all worth it," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Dwayne Whiteside, from Concord, California, president of the Intermediate Maintenance Facility FCPOA.

The symposium covered a broad range of topics including leadership skills and the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365 program from several speakers, including fleet, force and command master chiefs.

"I learn something at every [CPO] 365 meeting I go to, sometimes from fellow chiefs and sometimes from FCPO's," said Chief Culinary Specialist Kevin Flatley, from Hempstead, New York, attached to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor's Trident Inn. "Every day is a chance to grow and benefit from the Sailors around you."

The training provided FCPOs with worthwhile information in conjunction with goals to set for themselves while beginning their journey to the chief petty officer selection boards.

"Having so many FCPOs interacting with each other in one setting, while tremendous speakers pass on their information to future leaders is a great experience," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jonathan McClellan, from Fort Morgan, Colorado, attached to Naval Base Kitsap.

The symposium brought together officers, FCPOs and CPOs to share information and leadership skills to help build a strong future of Navy leadership.