FEATURES

ACE provides Airmen a voice, opportunity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Loftis
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Hidden deep down, in the innards of a human body there's a voice that wants to be heard. More often than not, that voice is hidden so deep its kicking and screaming cannot be heard because of a fear of standing out from the crowd. 

For many junior enlisted Airmen, Nellis Air Force Base can be an intimidating and stressful duty station --especially if they feel like their voice isn't being heard. One organization is dedicated to ensuring the lowest ranking Airmen on base have an opportunity to be heard, while helping them develop their leadership skills and giving them a chance to interact with people of similar rank.

"Airman Committed to Excellence is a non-profit, private organization that is dedicated to improving the career development of Airmen on Nellis AFB," said Airman 1st Class Reuben Perry, ACE president and 99th Medical Support Squadron information technology technician.

The ACE council provides Airmen a forum to voice problems, suggestions and quality of life issues.  During their monthly forums, the ACE council provides input and feedback from their units to command chiefs and first sergeants, who regularly attend the meetings.

"I would say that Airmen definitely have a voice through ACE," said Perry. "ACE has a first shirt liaison, senior NCO liaison, and a chief liaison that are open to listen to concerns and opinions from the Airmen. I also have connections with dorm management, the dorm council, and I meet up with (the 99th Air Base Wing command chief) Chief Master Sgt. Steven Cleveland once a month so I can also bring up any concerns and/or opinions from the Airmen as well. "

ACE not only helps Airmen enhance career development, but also hosts morale events, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising projects.

"All ranks are welcome to participate in ACE," said Senior Airman Chelsey Pennington, ACE vice president and 99th MDSS unit deployment manager. "However, only E-1 through E-4 are eligible to participate in all of the morale events, as well as, run as an executive officer."

The ACE council has hosted many successful events in the past, such as skydiving, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, paintball and much more.

"With the events the ACE council offers, my favorite thing is meeting new Airmen, "said Pennington. "The council provides Airmen with the opportunity to stand out among their peers, network outside of organizations, free food, and a chance to increase morale. "

Though the ACE council offers many fun events and opportunities, those are not the council's number one priority.

"The biggest goal of the ACE council is to help Airmen make informed decisions about their career," said Perry. "It is commitment free, there are no fees and you can come by whenever you want or can."

The ACE council holds meetings every third Thursday of the month at the Robin's Roost, inside The Club on Nellis AFB at 3 p.m. For more information on ACE, contact Airman 1st Class Reuben Perry at reuben.perry@us.af.mil.