News

Airmen take trip to remember

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Scharff
  • 14th Operations Support Squadron
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Eight Airmen took a two-day trip to Maxwell AFB, Ala., Oct. 17 and 18 as part of the 14th Operations Support Squadron mentorship development program. 

This enlisted mentorship trip served as the 14th OSS commander, Lt. Col. David Gossett's conduit to develop and encourage his young force and provide them the necessary leadership tools required now and well into the future. 

Arriving at Maxwell AFB, the group spent time at the Enlisted Heritage Hall located at Maxwell/Gunter AFB, about 10 miles from Maxwell. The Enlisted Heritage Hall is a product of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute. Its main purpose is to serve as an educational tool for the Senior Noncommissioned Officers and Noncommissioned Officer academies. The 14th OSS Airmen were given a guided tour by Mr. Hoot Gibson, a retired Air Force Airman. 

During our Heritage Hall visit 14 OSS Airmen Senior Airman Sherri Tucker and Senior Airman Renee Grobe were chosen to have their names engraved on a brick that is being displayed in front of the Enlisted Heritage Hall for many years to come. 

Airmen Tucker and Grobe were selected by a panel of four SNCOs and a NCO to represent the 14th OSS. Each Airman professionally answered many questions ranging from Air Force related categories to current events; making it a difficult decision for the board to choose just two recipients. 

Day two of our trip included tours of the SNCO Academy, Officer Training School and the Community College of the Air Force. 

While visiting the CCAF each Airman gained the opportunity to see what kind of progress they were making in order to achieve their CCAF degree. They were also enlightened on the newly developed Air University Bachelor's Program. 

In addition to the SNCO/NCO Academy, the 14th OSS group visited the Officer Training School allowing aspiring Airmen to see what it takes to become an officer. 

When asked what the trip meant to him, Senior Airman Charles Patterson said, "The trip was very informative. It was very beneficial to see what the SNCO Academy, CCAF, OTS and the Enlisted Heritage Hall had to offer developing Airmen." 

Lt. Col. Gossett is planning a trip of this kind with his officers to Lackland AFB, Texas. His vision is to have the 14th OSS officer corps understand and observe how the Air Force develops its enlisted force. On this trip, the officers will have an opportunity to attend a Basic Military Training Graduation Parade, tour the BMT facilities, briefed on the rigors of BMT and have lunch with new trainees. In addition, the 14th OSS officers will also visit at Randolph AFB, Texas to meet with their MAJCOM functionals associated with their flights.