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The KMC 5/6 Club recently hosted a base-wide Airman Professional Development Seminar for Ramstein Airmen in the ranks of E-1 through E-4 for the first time.
About 26 Airmen attended the seminar, which was held to help pass on information to those in the junior enlisted ranks.
“We hold seminars for the Airmen in our squadron all the time, but there’s never been anything for the Airmen on base,” said Tech. Sgt. Yxel Espina, 721st Aerial Port Squadron air transportation ramp services supervisor. “So, we figured, let’s open it up to Airmen on the base, pitched it to the 5/6 Club, and they thought it was a great idea also. It was a chance for us to share knowledge and information with those who don’t necessarily have contact with their front-line supervisors.”
Topics ranged from assignments to special duties, the enlisted force structure to finance and below the zone to Weighted Airman Promotion System testing.
“I learned about the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative Program and some more information on assignments that I wasn’t aware of,” said Airman 1st Class Dylan Landry, 450th Intelligence Squadron craftsman, who will be a multi-source analyst once upgraded.
Another Airman from the 450th IS said he learned the importance of conversation.
“Communication, even from Airman to supervisor, is a two-way street and vital for the Air Force,” said Airman 1st Class Thomas Kelsey, 450th IS multi-source analyst. “It is also very important to talk in private about anything important, so that it’s just one-on-one, and you can ask everything needed and not be distracted.”
One topic covered was a big issue for several Airmen — education.
“Education proves to play an important role within, and even outside of the military,” said Airman 1st Class James McBride, 435th IS intelligence analyst. “The Air Force hands us the option to better ourselves, and now with the growth of technology, we have a chance to take those college courses, even with a hectic work schedule.”
Airman Landry will benefit from those education benefits, as well.
“I will definitely be taking advantage of the AU-ABC program,” said the apprentice, who has been in the Air Force since July 2009. “I can have my bachelor’s degree in two years after completion of the Community College of the Air Force degree.”
The seminar included discussions, question and answer sessions and a chief’s panel.
“I definitely found the chief’s panel to be interesting,” Airman Landry said. “Being able to have an open discussion with people so experienced was a great opportunity.”
Each Airman took away something different from the seminar that they can apply in their own careers.
“I need to find a mentor to mold my Air Force career after,” said Airman Kelsey, who has been in the Air Force since October 2008. “It should be on a more personal level, not just business all the time. It needs to be someone who has been successful and who you can talk to about everything — someone who cares and is willing to listen.”
As the seminar neared the end, each Airman knew they would walk away with something useful.
“I believe the Airman PDS is beneficial for each and every Airman who attends,” said Airman McBride, who has been in the Air Force for about a year. “It helps you
understand that all the information the Air Force puts into your head during briefings aren’t just a store-and-dump. The information will prove helpful throughout your Air Force career.”
