Junior Airmen shadow senior leaders

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Junior Airmen willfully and purposefully followed a senior leader like a shadow for half a day Oct. 22-26 to get a glimpse of the life of their leaders.

Shadow Week, a quarterly program organized by Eglin's Junior Force Council, helps bridge the gap between Eglin's senior leaders and its junior forces by sharing Air Force experiences, life lessons and career choices. Shadowing a senior leader gives the junior force counterpart the opportunity to see their leader in action, as well as get advice on their own careers.

"The invaluable experience that these senior leaders possess is a key resource when learning how to become a successful follower as well as an effective leader," said 2nd Lt. Mitchael Cooksey, Air Force Research Laboratory fuze research engineer. "They have been in countless complicated situations, where they had to react quickly and effectively, and are able to share a fraction of their wisdom with those who shadow them."

Lieutenant Cooksey shadowed Chief Master Sgt. Veronique Nicklas, 96th Medical Group superintendent, at the Eglin Hospital. Spanning a career of more than 25 years and four career fields, Chief Nicklas has the "invaluable experience" Airmen like Lieutenant Cooksey are looking for.

"I feel it is very important to share our history, lessons learned and knowledge with our future leaders," said Chief Nicklas. "Mentoring is a part of each supervisor's role in our daily routine."

Col. Gary Plumb, 46th Test Wing commander, agrees the mentorship aspect of the program is a step above and beyond the typical supervisor/subordinate relationship.

"Mentorship is a critical tool in growing our people, lessons that older folks have learned can be passed on so younger folks don't have to learn the same lessons on their own," Colonel Plumb said. "They can start with a more robust knowledge base from the beginning and therefore go farther."

According to the charter for the junior force council, "the Junior Force Council members speak for the junior force at Eglin AFB, and serve as a bilateral communication channel between senior leadership and the junior force members. The EJFC will provide the Eglin junior force with a forum in which their ideas and recommendations will be listened to and discussed openly without fear of reprisal."

One of those communication forums is within the Shadow Program.

"Shadow programs are very beneficial in helping younger Airmen get a glimpse beyond their work station which hopefully broadens their perspective and increases their understanding of the Air Force and what part they play," Colonel Plumb said.

Colonel Plumb was shadowed by Airman 1st Class Kristin Bishop, 46th Operations Support Squadron airfield operations.

"The Shadow program really allowed me to see just how important my job is," she said. "Although my job might just be a small part of the puzzle, it is an important one. Without my small piece of the puzzle, the puzzle would not be complete."

During their shadow experience, the colonel spoke with Airman Bishop of career goals and Air Force life before going on a "walk-about" to a maintenance squadron.

"It is vital for older folks to pass on what they've learned from their experiences, and for junior folks it is important for them to see that their leadership are just plain people who have stuck around for a while," Colonel Plumb said.

One day, the current junior force will be the leaders and will be looking to train the younger generation to take their place. Another group of future leaders will have the opportunity to shadow those in charge today when the program continues the first quarter of 2008.