Professional development inspires future leaders

TAMPA, Fla. -- 250 joint company grade officers gathered here for the ninth annual Air Force Company Grade Officer Professional Development Conference.

This year's conference is hosted by the Eastern Region Company Grade Officers' Council. The conference's theme for this year was: Culture-Competence-Leadership: Joint Airmen for Tomorrow's Battlefield.

"It's been a monumental effort led by a team of CGOs from the Air Force CGOC, including Eastern Region CGOC leadership and MacDill AFB, Fla. CGOs," said Capt. Kaight Cichon, Air Force CGOC vice chairman.

The agenda contains many senior leaders, guest speakers, and events that will inspire thought, foster networking, and generate discussion.

The 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Lenny Richoux, provided opening welcome remarks to the officers and hosted a day-long base tour at several different organizations throughout the base.

The officers received a host installation mission brief, an update on South and Central American operations, an overview on culture and customs of tribal regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and a brief on psychological operations and rapid communication capabilities as part of the first day.

"This is my sixth worldwide professional development conference," said Capt. Faith Eudy, president of the Eastern Region CGOC. "The right ingredients to put on a conference of this caliber include a positive can-do attitude, and synergistic efforts between the host base, the region and Air Force CGOC leadership."

The conference, scheduled for May 2-6 here, will include a traditional "Stars and Bars Dining-In" event, where CGOs will be paired with general officers at their respective tables for mentoring and networking.

The Air Force CGOC is an organized network of Air Force lieutenants and captains working together to promote professional development, base support, community service and esprit-de-corps. Many base CGOCs have formed joint organizations, incorporating U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps lieutenants and captains and U.S. Navy ensigns and lieutenants.


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