AGE= All Generations Engaged

Published May 29, 2010
By Senior Airman Jarrod R. Chavana
AFCENT Public Affairs

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- "Traditionalist experienced the Great Depression and lived through World War I and World War II, being instilled with a patriotic loyalty and a waste not want not philosophy."

Baby Boomers experienced Korea and Vietnam, living through the human rights movement creating "the Me generation."

Generation X experienced Desert Storm and the creation of MTV and personal computers. "This created a society that was adaptive to change and technology."

Generation Y/Millennials experienced Iraq and Afghanistan and are accustomed to diversity and expansions in technology. "These factors created a society of people who believed their personal safety is number one but they are still globally concerned."
Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Donald R. Cyprain gave this presentation called "The Generational Diversity; Learning to Bridge the Gap" May 15, to more than 20 military and civilian attendees to further enhance the capabilities of current and future supervisors and provide a better understanding of how each generation best operates.

"I think anytime we can do something that's total force, including civilians, it's going to make a more functional work place," said Chief Cyprain, 532nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron senior enlisted advisor. "I try to develop these individuals into understanding what their roles, duties and responsibilities are; because misconceptions occur among groups and we don't talk about it. Change is happening, and it's happening right before our eyes and we have to learn twice as fast to keep up with it."

Professional development courses are used to further cultivate leadership skills and military professionalism in support of voluntary education opportunities to enhance professional growth.

"I'm seeing a generation X and Y who thirst for jobs that challenge them," said Chief Cyprain, a native of Independence, La. "The status quo of do what I tell you doesn't work anymore. If the job doesn't have meaning for them, they will get very tired and very impatient and change jobs.

"As senior leaders, if we don't continue to engage them we are going to lose them," said Chief Cyprain, who's deployed from Washington State Air National Guard. "We will either loose them to another service, although that's not a bad thing, but we may lose them altogether to the public sector. That's why we must understand the need for change and understand how each generation is wired differently."

During the class, the participants discussed experiences they've encountered during their career with dealing with different generations.

"This class really opened up my eyes," said Master Sgt. Michel Senecal, a course attendee, deployed from the Rhode Island Air National Guard. "It made me look at ways I have to deal with the younger generation, and how I have to be able to accept change and adjust to their way of doing things. If I can mentor them to follow the old ways in certain aspects and combine their new techniques in others, it makes me a better leader and them better Airmen."

A professional development class, such as Generational Diversity, provides information to develop a better understanding of military values and agendas. Both senior and junior enlisted ranks can learn from each other and create a more rounded military force.