RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The Young Airmen’s Council hosted the “Airmen leading Airmen” seminar here on Aug. 22, 2018.
The Young Airmen’s Council provides an opportunity for the newest generation of Airmen to lead events and give event briefings to leadership. The council also allows them to lay the groundwork for organizing events, which benefit themselves and their peers.
“We want to give the Airmen an opportunity to get answers to questions they didn’t know they had,” said Chaplain Capt. Kennie Neal, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain, and senior advisor for the council. “Whether it’s about their careers or life goals, it gives them the opportunity to hear what they need.”
Established in January 2018, the group has hosted several events, such as panel discussions with guest ranging from staff sergeants to lieutenant colonels, and their highlighted event – the singles retreat.
All events are hosted, planned and led by Airmen. The senior leadership in the council take care of all logistics and provide guidance for events.
“We pick things that we want to do ourselves or things that we’ve heard from our friends,” said Airman 1st Class Clarence Bennett, 100th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection apprentice. “If Airmen don’t want it, we won’t do it. The council gives us a chance to be heard, regardless of age, from our viewpoint.”
The council allows the Airmen to grow their leadership skills and prepare them for future responsibilities they will hold as they grow in their Air Force career.
“The council is the stepping stone for Airmen to better hold their peers accountable, help them grow in their confidence and ability,” Neal said. “They can go from briefing their office about the upcoming events to informing the commander of the goals for the council.”
Bennett agreed.
“I have grown so much since joining,” he said. “The council builds you up in leadership and public speaking. Our advisors force to follow through with plans and commitments because it’s not just about ourselves, it’s about our team.”
Readiness, culture and Airmen are the top priorities of RAF Mildenhall, and the council plays a part in helping the Bloody Hundredth achieve those goals from the ground up.
The Airmen are given the opportunity to bridge the gap between new and seasoned members Air Force. They are placed in positions of leadership, growing themselves as Airmen and strengthening their mental and spiritual readiness.
“As a part of the older generation of the Air Force with where the, ‘If you need it, the Air Force would have issued it,’ mentality -- we have a harder time understanding the new millennial culture,” Neal said. “This is our answer to that: letting the Airmen speak for themselves and tell us what they need. This is how the Air Force will grow -- by blending the generations together to create an even stronger force.”