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Commanders, first sergeants interact with Airmen at dinner

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Squadron commanders and first sergeants had dinner with dorm Airmen during an Airman appreciation dinner at the Chief Master Sgt. Emerson E. Williams dining facility, May 21.

One of the main reasons for a dinner like this is for junior enlisted Airmen to get the chance to communicate directly with their commander or first sergeant.

"Squadron leadership rarely has an opportunity to sit and visit with their Airmen," said Lt. Col. Tara White, 20th Force Support Squadron commander. "It critical they know we are not only interested in them professionally, but personally as well."

"It was a lot of fun," said Airman 1st Class Megan Mathis, 20th Communication Squadron knowledge manager. "It was interesting to learn about my commander and first sergeant."

The development of Airmen is a large part of the responsibilities of commanders and first sergeants, and ensuring involvement in their lives is part of that responsibility, their personal growth, success and welling being are pivotal elements in making them key contributors to the world's greatest Air Force, said White.

Mathis said that because of the dinner she now sees her commander as a respected elder.

At the FSS table, they played some icebreaker games to get to know each other, said White.

"I have a professional dog sledder and barrel rider and several musicians in FSS," said White. "There's lots of talent among us."

There is reason to celebrate at these events too though, as Air Force traditions are passed to the next generation of Airmen.

"At the end of it, our youngest Airman got to be a part of congratulating one of our newest Master Sgt. selects," said White.

But fun is not the only part of the reason for the dinner. Resiliency is key to the Air Force, wing leadership and all the way down to first level supervisors.

"Leadership is in the business of building resilient Airmen," said White. "By knowing our Airmen on multiple levels we are better able to perceive when someone is in trouble or unable to bounce back."

Airman appreciation dinners provide squadron leadership with the opportunity to express their thanks for their Airmen's hard work, dedication, and desire to exhibit the Air Force's core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Through these seemingly simple dinners with leadership, Airmen get a real feel for the camaraderie which flows from the top of the chain of command down to the lowest tier of Airman.