JOLDS target company grade officers Published April 10, 2014 By James Branch 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga -- Military leaders share a constant challenge of adapting to an ever-changing workforce, while upholding existing customs and traditions. Dobbins Air Reserve Base recently hosted a series of Junior Officer Leadership Development Seminars for 42 company grade officers, training them in leadership, teambuilding, cultural diversity, mobilization issues and military officership. Reservists, Individual Mobilization Augmentees and Air Reserve Technicians experienced four days of officer and enlisted presentations, a field exercise and tour of Lockheed Martin Marietta. Brig. Gen. Curtis Williams, 22nd Air Force vice commander and Col. Brett Clark, 94th Airlift Wing commander briefed on their respective unit missions. "You all come from many different backgrounds," Williams said to the group. "I want each of you to leave here with at least 10 classmate contacts. I am sure you will meet, hire or work for someone sitting among you in this room." Williams spoke of the Reserve triad, a balancing act of the Reservist's civilian job, military job and family. "As military officers, you must find your comfort zone, and help others maintain there's," he added. "If that triad gets off balance, future leaders will not be around." Capt. Lydia Chebino, an IMA for the 618th Air and Space Operations Center described her Air Force career and reasons for attending the seminars. "I'm what you call a moving target," she said. "I'm an active duty spouse, mother and government service employee. The Reserve triad means a lot to me. I'm attending this course to enhance my leadership skills and explore more opportunities as an IMA." Clark instructed attendees on how to lead in current Air Force environments. "I'm inviting you into my world as a wing commander," Clark said. "You must nurture your career and practice absolute transparency. That's how you get promoted to Colonel, or even General." He emphasized the importance of Professional Military Education, joint experience, being a subject matter expert in your field, and deployments. "You must remain professional, flexible and able to take on new roles and responsibilities," he added. Other seminars included a Q&A session on "Today's Air Force Reserve" by Maj. Gen. Mark A. Kyle, 22nd Air Force commander, "Mentoring and Effective Communication" by Williams, "Total Force" by Brig. Gen. Udo K. McGregor, Air Force Strategic Planning deputy director, "Generations" by Col. Marshall Irvin, 94th Mission Support Group commander, "The Air Expeditionary Force Now" by Col. Randall A. Bright, AFRC Plans, Programs and Requirements deputy director, "Deployed Leadership" by Lt. Col. Timothy Martz, 94th Security Forces Squadron, "Developing your Reserve Officer Development Plan" by Maj. Julia Breeden, Air Reserve Personnel Center, and "A Chief's Perspective" by 14th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force (Ret.) Gerald R. Murray. "We've received a lot of training during the last four days," said Chebino. "The professionals involved with this course have not only equipped us with tools to advance our careers as Airmen, but to become better mentors and leaders."
