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PACE visits the 332nd AEW

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Branson
  • 332d Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  

In December 2019, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing leadership team brought instructors from Air University's Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE) to provide skills and techniques that could be beneficial to Airmen.

Due to feedback gathered during the wing's Resilience Tactical Pause, the classes offered included Enhancing Human Capital 101, Emotional Intelligence, Culture Cultivates Identity, and many more.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered an RTP with a letter to wing commanders worldwide on July 31, 2019. The 332nd AEW leaders responded and compiled feedback from their Airmen to get after resiliency.

"A common theme of the feedback was that many of the supervisors felt they weren't prepared or didn't possess the depth of knowledge required to lead other human beings," said Chief Master Sgt. Emilio Avila, 332 AEW command chief.

Chief Master Sgt. Keith Castille, a PACE instructor, said they have a realistic goal when they bring their expertise to a base. "The goal is to plant a seed in one individual, and hopefully that one individual will plant seeds in other individuals and help grow them."

A topic of discussion throughout the week was that life continues to happen when you're away from home.

"You have to grow here as a team, and the family's back home have to understand that you are still growing and being an advocate for change," said Castille.

Many Airmen were excited about the opportunity, including Tech. Sgt. Christine Budzynski, who managed to attend nine classes.

"I want to improve my leadership skills, the culture of the Air Force today, and how I adapt to the newer generation of Airmen coming in," she said.

Budzynski remarked that the results of the PACE classes could enhance the outcome of the RTP, "If we can connect to our Airmen, we can create a better culture-a better environment."

Castille applauded the 332 AEW leadership for figuring out what works in the wing's environment and bringing something to help the Airmen. "We connect with Airmen because we are Airmen, I think they found a lot of value in what PACE brings and what we bring as leaders in our Air Force."