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CGOs take professional organization to the desert

  • Published
  • By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  379th Air Expeditionary Wing captains and lieutenants continue their pursuit of professional development while in the desert through volunteerism, organizing events and building relationships. 

Listed on the Air Force Company Grade Officer Council Web site as the only official deployed council, this group is not typical, said 1st Lt. Walton Dabney, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section commander. He was recently selected as the division chief for forward deployed CGOCs, a job which will entail developing the organization at other locations in theater. 

"We're recognized at the Air Force level as the only full-scale deployed CGOC," said the Virginia Tech graduate from Woodbridge, Va. "We overcome a lot of challenges the organizations back home don't have to deal with. Our CGOs are working 12 to 14 hours, six days a week and there's not a lot of free time," said the lieutenant based out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash. 

Living and working in the desert doesn't stop these motivated officers from getting involved. They make the time to hold weekly luncheons, raise money for monthly wing birthday meals and organize events to get to know each other on a personal and professional level. 

"Our mentor is the vice wing commander and we meet with him bi-weekly. We also have field grade officers who provide us with their leadership and development expertise," said Lieutenant Dabney, describing the formal and more social aspects of the organization. "It is as simple as meeting someone in a congenial way - it makes it easier to get things done at work and understand them on a professional level." 

This is especially important considering most CGOs are only here for four months. 

"By the time you get to know your job it's almost time to redeploy, so getting to know other CGOs in various squadrons helps us to navigate the system a lot faster," said 2nd Lt. Jennifer Mayer, wing CGOC president and 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron flight commander based out of Bolling Air Force Base, Washington DC. 

Not only are they developing professionally, but they're finding creative ways to have fun and build relationships. The CGOC sends out frequent invites to congregate at the Desert Eagle Lounge, attend pool parties, barbecues, watch movies or exercise - further promoting esprit de corps. 

"The CGOC is like your family away from home," said Lieutenant Mayer, a St. Mary's College of Notre Dame graduate and Prairie du Chien, Wisc. native. "We can depend on each other - we're all we've got here. The CGOC is a group of officers making the most of our situation and at the same time improving ourselves professionally." 

The CGOC meets at the Twin Towers room at the Manhattan Dining Facility every Friday at 1130 for lunch and a meeting.