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CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

U.S. Air Force Capt. Romaine Russell, 606th Air Control Squadron current operations chief, laughs while talking to his senior NCO counterpart during a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015. The event took more than 50 minutes, with company grade officers moving around the table and meeting a different SNCO after two minutes of talking and sharing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

Twenty-five company grade officers and 25 senior NCOs participate in a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015. With the motto of “Building Solid Relationships to Build Solid Teams” in mind, the CGOs and SNCOs exchanged ideas and techniques on leadership and professional growth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Stephanie Walsh, 52nd Force Support Squadron force development flight chief, left, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dwight McCormick, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight chief, converse during a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015. Company grade officers brought a list of questions to ask the senior NCOs pertaining to leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

U.S. Air Force Capt. Annabelle Hill, 52nd Fighter Wing command executive, sits with her rank insignia displayed during a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015. Speed mentoring sessions serve as a means to keep an open communication between the company grade officer and senior NCO board, allowing Airmen to mentor one another, regardless of rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

A bell is used during a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015. The company grade officers and senior NCOs spoke with each and every one in the room, learning and gaining different perspectives by asking questions, answering others and sharing their personal opinions on what they found works and what doesn’t. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

CGOs, SNCOs forge bonds through speed mentoring

Published Nov. 3, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Twenty-five company grade officers and 25 senior non-commissioned officers exchanged leadership techniques and ideas through a speed mentoring session inside Club Eifel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 29, 2015.

With the motto of "Building Solid Relationships to Build Solid Teams" in mind, the CGOs and SNCOs exchanged ideas and techniques on leadership and professional growth.

"I realized that I have something to offer and I have a lot of questions," said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Rachel Szall, a 52nd Contracting Squadron contracting administrator and event guest speaker. "Whether or not you have a specific problem, it helps to talk to a room full of advisors or to just look for some tips on how to navigate and stay on course...I'd like to challenge all of you to take a step out and think outside the box."

The event took more than 50 minutes, with CGOs moving around the table and meeting a different SNCO every two minutes.

"This was great," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Barbara De Brito, a 606th Air Control Squadron operations training superintendent. "It gave us a different perspective and understanding of what the CGOs are looking for from their SNCOs and NCOs. It gave us a chance to explain to them, however, what these SNCOs need from them and what they can do to keep an open communication. Mentoring is done across the board, it doesn't matter the rank or how long you've been in. Someone always has something to offer. Anyone can be a mentor and you can be a part of it."

A social hour took place before the mentoring session, allowing CGOs and their SNCO counterparts to get to know one another on a more personal level beforehand.

"Personally, I think it's really good development," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Katrina Smith, 52nd Force Support Squadron chief of readiness and plans. "It's going to affect how I deal with my Airmen; it's going to help me develop relationships with them and mentor them as we go along."

The officers and senior NCOs all had a chance to speak with each and every one in the room, learning and gaining different perspectives by asking and answering questions and sharing their personal opinions on what they found works and what doesn't.

"CGOs and SNCOs; the relationship you have to have with one another is one of the most important relationships that exist at the tactical level," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Wester, 606th ACS superintendent and event guest speaker. "In order for units to be effective, we need to have strong partnerships at this level. As the relationship grows, it matures into collaboration with chief master sergeants and commanders, at the squadron, group, wing, major command and Air Force levels."