Local program forges Air Force leadership

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The leadership instinct you are born with is the backbone. You develop the funny bone and the wishbone that go with it.
- Elaine Agather

From their entrance into the military Airmen are schooled in topics ranging from technical skills to human resource management. Through their schooling and experience, they find their way to a position of responsibility in the world's greatest air force.

Keeping with the tradition of Air Force leaders, two members of Team Dover are afforded an opportunity each year to take their professional military education to another level by partnering with members of the local community in a program titled "Leadership Central Delaware." The annual program, hosted by the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, places some of the top performers in various careers across Delaware in a 10-month program focused on developing team-building and leadership skills.

The selectees for 2012 were Maj. Thomas Abell, commander of the 436th Force Support Squadron, and Master Sgt. Michael Small, production superintendent with the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"Being commander of the 436th Force Support Squadron, a customer-service-oriented squadron that works closely with the local community, I knew this program would be a good match [with my career field]," said Abell.

Participants must be nominated and accepted by a panel to join the program; a system designed to reduce the class size to less than 25. The selection process is strict, which ensures that only highly-motivated individuals are admitted, said Abell.

Once in the program, members meet monthly for an all-day workshop on leadership development. Local economic drivers are also explored, such as agri-tourism, energy and healthcare, government, criminal justice and public safety, media and communications, and business development.

The lessons are not confined to a conference room. Special events provide unique experiences, such as the Retreat Day, which poses a distinct scenario during the first group meeting, and the orientation flight, which provides Leadership Central Delaware members a chance to fly on a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Each meeting provides members a chance to cultivate their leadership skill through guided lessons and interactions with each other. Local and civic leaders, including the mayor of Dover and the governor and state representatives of Delaware, frequent the program as well, providing an excellent opportunity to network. For Team Dover members, the program shows how business is handled on the other side of the base's main gate.

"I've learned how much military and civilian life is intertwined. Besides the uniforms, business is conducted very similar on base and downtown. Because of this, I've been able to take several ideas from members who work at Kent General Hospital and apply them on the flight line," said Small.

Regardless of the lessons learned, the presence of military members in the program shows a commitment of Team Dover to its partners in the community, and an interest in the businesses that keep Central Delaware busy.

Team Dover members interested in applying for the program should let their chain of command know. Nominations are sent from the CDCC to the wing, which then selects Airmen who have shown the interest and aptitude to join. For the two service members selected to attend the $995 tuition is paid by the wing. Therefore, the only requirement to join is some initiative and commitment to self-improvement.

"I would advise anyone who joins the program to put their full effort behind it - it will increase the program's benefit tenfold. It reinforces and validates lessons Airmen have learned and teaches new lessons that can benefit them for the rest of their career," said Abell.