Conference highlights future of leadership Published July 7, 2006 By First Lt. Justin McVay Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- More than 150 lieutenants and captains from around the globe gathered in Las Vegas May 15 through 18 for the 2006 Air Force Company Grade Officer Councils' Professional Development Conference. The annual conference, held this year at the Nellis Officers' Club, is designed to enhance the officership of company grade officers by emphasizing the CGOC pillars of professional development, community service, base support and esprit de corps. "It is a special opportunity to be a CGO in our Air Force today," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Goldfein, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander. "The conference provides the opportunity to learn about fellow officers' missions and understand key Air Force issues. We are pleased to be hosting this important event at Nellis." From performance-report skills and ethics in leadership, to community service and the future of the Air Force, these lieutenants and captains were given a rare chance to have a captive audience of senior Air Force leaders and civilian executives, fielding their questions in an intimate setting. "Focus on being the best you can be," said Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander. "Step out of your comfort zone, because that's how you grow." Brig. Gen. William Gilbert, North American Air Defense Command and Aerospace Defense Command deputy chief of staff for communications and electronics, spoke to the lieutenants and captains at the conference's Stars and Bars dining-in, May 17. He discussed how the leaner Air Force will continue to be the premier aerospace force in the future with an informative address on Air Force Smart Operations 21. General Gilbert stressed that all Air Force members, officers and enlisted, understand "AFSO 21 is about combat power." "As you go through your Air Force career," said General Sullivan, "you will be the implementation of AFSO 21." In addition to briefings, the conference was given the opportunity to visit the Air Force's premier centers for testing, tactics and training at Nellis. Highlights from their tour included an up-close viewing of the F-22A and Predator aircraft, Nellis' Threat Training Facility, and the Thunderbirds. They also were given a tour of Red Flag and the Combined Air Operations Center-Nellis. Organizers also surprised conference-goers with a special guest for their luncheon May 17. Entertainer and Las Vegas icon Wayne Newton spoke to the officers about his role in the United Service Organizations and the impact military personnel have had on his life. He even entertained them with a few bars of his hit, "Danke Schoen." "Without you and your contributions to mankind," Mr. Newton said, "the safety of our country and freedom wouldn't exist. This goes for all branches of the military, but most especially the shock and awe of the Air Force." Along with the entertainer, these junior officers were encouraged by a panel of Nellis First Sergeants to develop their own leadership style and become an integral part of their troops' lives. They also gave crucial senior NCO advice on leading the enlisted corps. Brig. Gen. (ret.) Stephen Ritchie encouraged the young officers with a motivational delivery on professional development. He spoke on his life and memories in the Air Force and challenged them to "stand tall, think tall, smile tall and live tall," an edict he learned as a young officer and still carries with him today. "The challenge for you today," General Ritchie said, "is more important than it's ever been." The conference concluded May 18 with CGOC elections.
