Core group delivers information through Chief’s Chat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kyle Gese
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Core Group discussions create opportunities for all Airmen to receive important information in a friendly and impactful way.

U.S. Air Force Core Groups are a way for Airmen to communicate with leaders and talk about current policies, issues, news and other topics that are useful across the Air Force.

Two-way communication effectively delivers messages to Airmen of any rank that would otherwise be lost in email traffic, and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Lien, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, has been delivering two-way communication through his weekly Chief's Chat.

For the past 10 years, Lien has talked Air Force blue with his Airmen allowing them to ask questions about Air Force heritage, what it means to be a Saber at Spangdahlem and being a part of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe team. He gives his Airmen the chance to ask questions and receive honest feedback. He holds a two-hour chat every Wednesday and guides his Airmen through relevant topics in today's Air Force.

"Instead of a one way conversation where I stand at the front of the formation and say 'Effective immediately, this is the new policy,' it gives us a chance to delve into it a little bit deeper in an academic environment where the fire fighters can ask questions and ask follow up questions and ask questions from different directions," Lien said.

Some Airmen, due to their different work schedules and demands, are unable to make it to commander's calls or other means of receiving important information. Core-group discussions are a way for senior NCOs to gather important topics and bring it back to their Airmen to help in their professional development.

"I think one of the best things you can do to present something like this to your Airmen is you have to block out a solid period of time," he said. "It has to be something consistent and it has to be something that is built into the calendar. It can't be, 'We'll get to it when we get to it.' There has to be a commitment, and I have made that commitment in this fire department."

A successful core group depends on leaders to know their Airmen and understand what is important to them. This allows leadership to mold their discussions toward what might have a greater impact on Airmen and even give them a fun and engaging way to deliver that information.

"Chief's Chat makes a good impact on all ranks," said Airman 1st Class Jason Seavey, 52nd CES fire protection. "It gives you good information about the Air Force, politics or what's going on."
For more information on how to start a core group discussion or to join the Chief's Chat, call Marie Hubo-Dorsey at DSN 452-4401 or 06565-61-4401. Chief's Chat is open for any Department of Defense card holder.