MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Maxwell is set to host its first two-day Junior Enlisted Airman Leadership Summit, designed specifically for Airmen by Airmen on Sept. 26th and 27th.
The idea for the summit came from a similar program called the First Term Airman Leadership Conference, known as FALCON, which started at Scott AFB, Ill.
Through feedback and brainstorming on possible improvements to FALCON, JEALS was formed.
“We came up with the name of JEALS, which stands for the 'Junior Enlisted Airmen Leadership Symposium',” said Senior Airman Jasma Williams, 42nd Air Base Wing executive administrator.
“Traditionally, junior enlisted Airmen are developed through their attendance to First Term Airmen Center, and completing their upgrade training and Airman Leadership School,” said Senior Master Sgt. Tanya Boyd, Air War College superintendent. “The objective of the symposium is to help Airmen develop as they progress through their Air Force career.”
During this two-day professional and personal development event, there will be more than twelve workshops that Airmen can participate in. The mission is to provide junior enlisted Airmen with the necessary tools they need to become tomorrow's Air Force leaders.
“Each session is facilitated by Airmen (civilians, retirees, enlisted members and officers) from diverse backgrounds providing their perspective to the Airmen from Team Maxwell-Gunter,” said Boyd.
The workshops that have been chosen for the event were directly from the JEALS survey that was taken by Airmen in July.
As an added bonus to the event, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Alston, former U.S. Transportation Command senior enlisted leader, is set to be the summits keynote speaker.
All Airmen E-1 through E-4 at Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, the 187th Fighter Wing, and 908th Airlift Wing are invited to attend the symposium.
“We hope that the symposium can continue at Maxwell-Gunter for years to come,” said Williams.
For more information, contact the event coordinators at 334-953-4212.