JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Two forms of nourishment await enlisted Airmen in grades E-1 through E-6 who attend an event planned for 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Chapel Center.
“Food for Thought” is a mentorship dinner that will offer dialogue between senior leaders and enlisted Airmen and a gourmet meal prepared by JBSA’s enlisted aides.
“It’s beneficial for Airmen to receive guidance and mentorship from senior leaders,” said Tech. Sgt. Suge Wilson, enlisted aide to Maj. Gen. James Hecker, 19th Air Force commander. “Food for Thought is a great opportunity for them to sit down and have a non-conscripted conversation with senior officers and senior NCOs and listen to their viewpoints as well as voice their own concerns and thoughts. They’re able to grow as Airmen while enjoying a gourmet meal.”
Plans call for “Food for Thought” to be a monthly event at rotating JBSA locations, Wilson said. Donations to sponsor the event will be sought from various private organizations and the civilian community.
The inaugural dinner next week is funded by the Randolph First Sergeant Council and will feature a trio of senior leaders: Chief Master Sgt. Brion Blais, 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA command chief master sergeant; Maj. William Howard, 19th Air Force director of manpower/personnel; and Master Sgt. Zachary Christman, Air Force Recruiting Service first sergeant.
Senior Master Sgt. Terry Gilbert, Air Force Public Affairs Agency first sergeant and Randolph First
Sergeant Council president, called the mentorship series “a wonderful idea.”
“The JBSA enlisted aides have a tremendously busy schedule,” he said. “They unselfishly put their lives on hold and demonstrate to the utmost the core value of service before self in assisting the top leaders in the Air Force make the mission happen. For them to take even more time out of their busy schedule to put on a mentoring event for their fellow Airmen throughout JBSA truly shows the character of these selfless leaders.”
Wilson, who envisioned “Food for Thought” as a way to give back to Airmen, said she first presented her idea for the mentorship series to JBSA’s other enlisted aides, then to the Randolph First Sergeant Council.
“Our goal is to have a dinner every month,” she said. “Airmen will have the opportunity to come to the location that is closest to them, or they may go to any location where the dinner is served.”
The dinner is limited to the first 15 Airmen who pre-register via a link sent to first sergeants, Wilson said.
“We want to keep it an intimate setting for more of a one-on-one experience,” she said.
Staff Sgt. Natalie Sliver, enlisted aide to Maj. Gen. Bradford Shwedo, 25th Air Force commander, said “Food for Thought” “won’t be a ‘sit, take notes and listen’ type of event.”
“This is a dialogue over a three-course meal,” she said. “Each Airman and junior NCO will be placed near a senior leader and it’s a perfect time to talk about issues going on around the base, ask questions and request feedback and wisdom from the leader. Not only are there benefits for the Airmen and junior NCOs, but the senior leaders will get one-on-one time with Airmen, sharing their years of experience and perspectives with the opportunity to develop, motivate and inspire our next generation of leaders.”
Enlisted aides – an Air Force special duty – are no strangers to the preparation of gourmet meals. Attending to a range of duties that serve the needs of general officers, enlisted aides must be adept at meal planning and preparation as well as arranging official social events.
“For this career field, we go to culinary school,” said Wilson, who attended the Culinary Institute of America’s campus in Napa, Calif., followed by advanced culinary training at Fort Lee, Va.
Sliver said contributing to “Food for Thought” as an enlisted aide gives her an opportunity to be part of something bigger than herself.
“While I know I’m part of the Air Force and I wear the uniform, I am part of growing the next generation of leaders and creating the opportunity which has the potential to influence Airmen on a personal and professional level,” she said.
As a first sergeant, Gilbert said he always shares how small mentoring group opportunities such as the Food for Thought series have provided him with knowledge and advice that have kept him on track and helped him grow personally and professionally.
“Any chance you have to make yourself a better overall person, I say reach out and seize the opportunity,” he said. “This is one such event.”
For more information, call 612-7165 or 347-4353.