CGOC not extinct; organization offers networking, fellowship

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak
  • CGOC secretary
Leadership, officership and friendship bring daily challenges that are sometimes hard to grapple with in the Air Force for young officers, especially at Spangdahlem Air Base. The high operations tempo and scroll of upcoming inspections and exercises make finding the time and resources to flex our professional development muscles challenging. 

Saber LTs and Cap'ns - that's why your Company Grade Officer Council exists.
Like any organization starting fresh, the CGOC executive council knows it needs your buy-in to successfully thrive and provide a solid foundation for CGOs across the base. 

Meet the CGOC executive council, which recently had elections for the positions of president and secretary. 

President
Name: Capt. Christopher Simmons, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Deployment and Distribution Flight commander
Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C.
Alma Mater: Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C.
Family: Wife, Natasha Simmons
Years in Air Force: Eight
Why he wants to be part of the CGOC: It's a good opportunity to get breath of the overall mission at Spangdahlem, and to energize peers and synergize our efforts.
Goals: To leave a positive impact on the Airmen I lead and work for - my theory is the officers work for the enlisted, not the other way around.
Did you know ... He plays bass guitar at the noon gospel service at the Spangdahlem chapel 

Vice president
Name: Omar Johnson, 52nd LRS Assistant Operations Officer
Hometown: Abilene, Texas
Alma Mater: San Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas
Family: Three brothers, three sisters and five nephews
Years in Air Force: Two years
Why he wants to be part of the CGOC: Professional development and networking.
Goal: To gain a greater understanding of logistics and to help as many people as I can.
Did you know ... he was Texas' Foster Youth of the Year in 2003.

Treasurer
Name: 1st Lt. Trek Potter, 52nd Communications Squadron Executive Officer
Hometown: Santa Clarita, Cali.
Alma Mater: Weber State University in Ogden, Utah
Family: Wife, four kids
Years in Air Force: 8 total; six enlisted in civil engineering management
Why he wants to be part of the CGOC: I wanted to get involved and get to know other CGOs. On the enlisted side, there are a lot of buddies - as an officer, it's harder to get to know people because there's no one right around you.
Goal: To get a scholarship to AFIT for a computer-related masters' degree
Did you know... he appeared in several TV commercials and movies as a kid while growing up near L.A.

Secretary
Name: 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak, 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Deputy Chief
Hometown: White Lake, Mi.
Alma Mater: Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mi.
Years in Air Force: Less than one
Family: Parents, Paul and Judy Polesnak, four older siblings and one nephew
Why I want to be part of the CGOC: To create a professional, positive environment for all CGOs to learn from each other, network and socialize - in my short time as an LT, I've learned how key networking is to getting the job done.
Goal: To always live out the core values, especially service before self. If you start with that one, the other two will follow.
Did you know ... I worked as a journalist for three years during college. 

Give us the chance to debunk any preconceived notions you had about this organization. 

Myth: The CGOC is as active as the planes in the airpark.

We are ready to garner support and provide events that will benefit all CGOs, whether new LTs or 8-year captains, married or single, in hopes to boost morale, camaraderie, professionalism and knowledge of both base- and Air Force-wide operations. While Lieutenant Johnson was serving as the interim president, the council organized squadron walk-throughs in an attempt to familiarize CGOs with various units' Airmen and tasks across the wing. The council also hosted a softball tournament May 4-7 and plans to host a touch-football tournament Aug. 10-13. The key with all of these events is participation. The squadron walk-throughs garnered a lot of support from individual units; however, only a handful of CGOs attended. We are eager to plan events, but we need your help in targeting what you want to do, as well as when and where. 

Myth:
The CGOC only focuses on partying.
The purpose of bringing CGOs together is to build relationships and promote professionalism. While drinking a beer or two at social events may be acceptable depending on the situation, the CGOC does not and will not promote activities that put consuming alcohol at the forefront. Our purpose is to promote professionalism and camaraderie between CGOs. 

Myth: The CGOC is only for new, single LTs.
The CGOC strives to provide an atmosphere where both single officers and those with families can intermingle and absorb information from fellow officers across the base. Including everyone may not be possible every time, but your feedback can help us ensure we reach out to all CGOs, whatever their circumstances, so they have a chance to actively contribute and benefit from the organization's endeavors. 

Myth: The CGOC doesn't listen to my inputs.
If you have an idea, whether it's for an event or a policy you think would benefit the 52nd FW CGOs, don't hesitate to bring it to the executive council. One of the charges of the organization is to have a voice for CGOs reaching to the levels of legislation. Even if we cannot implement your ideas right away, they may spark another brainstorm. 

Myth:
The CGOC won't benefit me as an officer.
We can't promise officer performance report bullets. But we can offer you opportunities to network, volunteer and get information to make you a better officer. 

Myth:
If I'm not on the executive council, I can't actively contribute to the CGOC.
The CGOC is the link between CGOs and 52 FW leadership - the real contributors of the organization are officers across the base. Your initiative, participation and suggestions are what make the council function. If you're looking for a leadership position outside your unit or just a chance to work with other CGOs, there will be several opportunities in the near future for which you can volunteer, including a social chair and an event chair. These committee leads are vitally important to jump-starting fundraising, social and professional development events. 

Myth:
The CGOC is all talk and no action.
Easier said than done, right? Thinking of ways to gather people together and share their experiences is simple, but finding the time and money to support them is the tough part. We want to execute realistic, mutually-beneficial and enjoyable events that help promote and support CGO leadership. Part of making that happen is trial and error. Sometimes we may get it right and sometimes we won't. Your feedback is vital during this process. 

We encourage you to come join our team and share your inputs. Our next meeting is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 14 at Club Eifel. If you can't make it, feel free to e-mail the executive council at 52fw.cgoc02@spangdahlem.af.mil.