MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala.-- Seventeen junior enlisted Airmen from various career fields across Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama, attended a professional enhancement seminar April 25-27, 2022.
Professional enhancement seminars are informal leadership courses designed to bridge the gap between formal professional development, such as Airman Leadership School, First Term Airman Center and Noncommissioned Officer Academy. During PES, the Airmen learn a wide variety of tools to help them grow as followers and leaders as they develop through their career
“The Airman professional enhancement seminar serves as an in-between developmental course for Airmen who have completed FTAC but haven't made it to ALS yet” said Master Sgt. Ashley Marshall, 42nd Air Base Wing career assistance advisor. “Along the way these, Airmen become so focused on taking care of the mission that they risk forgetting the resources and tools given in FTAC.”
Mentors and instructors from various units spoke at the seminar on a wide range of topics from enlisted force structure, leadership qualities, diversity and inclusion, and emotional intelligence over the three-day seminar.
“We just recently had the four lenses assessment and that helped give me a good understanding of how other people can approach problems,” said Airman First Class Andrew Fuentes, 26th Network Operations Squadron network operator. “So whenever I have a group assignment or a project to work on, I can understand their perspective leads them to their conclusions and how we can incorporate that to make sure all blind spots are covered.”
This PES helped Airmen excel at being an Airman, as it’s an ongoing process in which Airmen actively pursue professional development and ensure that their knowledge and skills stay relevant.