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Servicemembers, senior leadership interact during forums

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
PHILADELPHIA --  Servicemembers had an opportunity to ask questions and interact with senior leadership in forums during the 37th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Convention held at McGuire Air Force Base July 17.

In two separate forums, leaders spoke about several issues. During the officer mentorship forum, leaders discussed understanding diversity and following policies not personal opinions, and the recruitment and advancement of minorities in the military.

Leaders in the enlisted forum discussed mentorship, the importance of core values, and the challenges with a mixed workforce of civilians, contractors, active-duty, guard and reserve members.

"It's great anytime young (servicemembers) get to ask chief master sergeants questions," Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, 9th Air Force command chief master sergeant, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., said after the forum. "We love to hear what's on their minds, and I'm really impressed with what they want to talk about."

Enlisted leaders also talked about the stereotypes regarding active-duty members and guard or reserve members. "We have to remember we are one team, one fight ... which means one standard," Chief Dearduff said. Other panelists agreed. "We all have the same uniform on," said Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen Buckner, individual mobilization augmentee to the Air Force Reserve Command command chief master sergeant. "It makes us all American Airmen (Soldiers, Sailors, Marines)."

At the conclusion of the forums, the floor was open for the crowd to ask questions. Topics brought up included junior-enlisted members being heard, ideas on how to broaden fellow servicemembers' views and opinions, and how to learn things from sister services.

"The enlisted leadership forum was awesome ... I was glad I got to ask my question," said Senior Airman Cassandra Brandon, 69th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. "It was such a diverse group of people with lots of different opinions. It was great to hear what the enlisted leaders had to say, and it was great for them to hear us."

The Tuskegee Airmen National Convention will continue through July 20. Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated is the national organization that works to honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of the legendary young African-American men who enlisted during World War II to become America's first black military Airmen, ground crew and mechanics.

The Tuskegee Airmen were young men who enlisted at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.

The surviving Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in March 2007, the most distinguished award bestowed by Congress. The convention offers a chance to meet these American heroes.

TAI has 51 chapters worldwide. For more information, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org.