HRDC successes impact 302nd AW

  • Published
  • By Maj Kallece A. Quinn
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  In mid October, seven members of the 302nd Airlift Wing's Human Resource Development Council, together with the wing's commander and command chief, attended the Air Force Reserve Command HRDC conference in Atlanta.

The conference was packed with personal and professional development information as well as mentoring opportunities.

In addition to guest speakers and leadership lessons, the command-wide conference provided each AF Reserve wing's HRDC the opportunity to showcase their achievements during the past two years as they competed for the Maj. Gen. Joseph A. McNeil Award for HRDC leadership excellence. The award is given bi-annually, and recognizes both large and small wings. Each wing submits a two-page listing of their HRDC accomplishments and impacts as well as creates a visual and interactive display for HRDC judges to evaluate, and other wing's HRDC members to experience.

The 302nd AW nomination highlighted the council's five focus areas of Orientation and Assimilation, Morale and Retention, Career Development and Mentoring, Marketing and Communications and Community Outreach, coupled with how HRDC initiatives impacted the wing. These achievements include more than 20 projects from 2008-2010 that have benefited 302nd AW and the surrounding community.

Some of the career development and mentoring events have seen more than 40 wing members attending diversity conferences such as Women in Aviation, Tuskegee Airman International and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"These conferences have allowed squadron and group commanders to recognize their key performers," said Col. Courtney Arnold, 302nd AW vice commander and HRDC chairman. "Attending these type of conferences inspire, motivate and excite our members."

One conference attendee had a career-changing experience in 2009 while attending the Women in Aviation, International conference in Orlando, Fla.

"WAI was extremely valuable to my military career," said Senior Airman Cindy Rojas, a services apprentice with the 302nd Force Support Squadron. "I am motivated to attend Airman Leadership School and work towards my Community College of the Air Force degree, which will enhance my performance for my unit and further my education. WAI gave me the motivation and ambition that now fuels my career goals."

Another accomplishment highlighted by the HRDC award package included their sponsorship of the wing's Herc Adventure Tour during the August 2010 annual Family Day event. More than 450 Reservists and their family members attended the event that incorporated 94 percent of wing organizations, represented with displays and demonstrations.

"The vision for the Herc Adventure Tour was to engage children while highlighting the various wing missions, "said Col. James Van Housen, 302nd Maintenance Group commander and HRDC Steering Committee member. "Those who attended were excited to have the Herc Adventure Tour back and thought it was the best one yet."  Additionally, HRDC's Community Outreach focus group organized a uniform donation to local Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol units.

"We were able to give the cadets more than 200 uniform items, saving these youth a lot of money and allowing them to look sharp," said Staff Sgt. Ulysses Gracia, both a 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron and HRDC member.

Besides initiatives to develop Airmen's careers, HRDC members also listen to their Reserve co-workers and identify problems to the council in the hopes of developing solutions to better the wing. One problem tackled by HRDC was the lack of day care available to Reservists during Unit Training Assembly weekends.

"Through innovation and partnering with Junior Enlisted Advisory Council the Home Community Care Project started a UTA day care program," said Tech. Sgt. Christina Estrada, former member of the 302nd Operation Support Squadron intelligence flight. "We now have 40 personnel using [the] services and quality child care is available for ages four weeks to 12 years old."

Similarly, HRDC members noticed new personnel on the UTA airlift lacked sponsors and struggled to get oriented to the base. "The new folks were stranded at the drop-off point, getting lost on base." said Sergeant Gracia.

In response, the HRDC helped create the Airlift Sheppard Project where a unit first sergeant flew on the first the four UTA flights of the program. First sergeants now greet 100 percent of UTA airlift flights upon arrival to Peterson. "The First Shirts have assisted with at least eight new member issues and the 302nd AW has had 100 percent retention of airlifters ... all because of the first shirts' interaction and process improvements," Sergeant Gracia said.

"All of these programs and initiatives started and continue because our HRDC members care about the wing and care to listen to their fellow Airmen," said Colonel Arnold. "We are a council of doers who want to impact the wing for good. We are truly living up to our Motto: 'HRDC: where even an airman can touch a colonel's career.'"

For 302nd AW members interested in learning more about the HRDC, visit their monthly meetings conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday of each UTA in the Bldg. 216 conference room.