National Director of Support’s Biography
Role of a Support Officer
2009-2010 Focuses
Support Documents in AAS Library
Role of a Support Officer
Chaplain:
The AASMAN-1 calls all supports officers to be squadron chaplains. This includes being “…available to discuss questions about religious programs and activities…” (AASMAN-1, 28). Simply put, the support officer should be approachable, integritous, and able to provide invocations at official AAS functions.
Support:
A Support Officer’s main job is to be supportive to the staff. AASMAN-1 calls the support officer to be the “…Quality Air Force (QAF) Officer…” (AASMAN-1, 28), continually seeking ways to improve staff operations. AASMAN-1 also states that the Support Officer is in charge of transportation to events (AASMAN-1). Bottom line is to help out the staff and always seek to improve staff performance. The Support Officer should be the anchor to a command staff, making sure that he/she is doing whatever possible to create a thriving staff.
Professional Development:
Professional development events are typically run by either the Operations Officer or the Support Officer. Professional development projects are created to foster squadron growth to be better leaders. This means that any event where everyone from the squadron benefits in increased knowledge, experience, and wisdom goes toward overall developement. Examples of professional development range from guest speakers and business workshops, to etiquette dinners and career days. Click here to see examples of other squadron’s professional development events!
Morale/Social Events:
Social events are typically planned and executed by the support officer, as apart as their duty to uphold morale and unit cohesion. Morale building events can greatly improve squadron bonds, creating a more efficient squadron. Any event thats sole purpose is to build morale, created stronger unit cohesion, or does not fall in any other service category is typically considered morale. Click here to see examples of other squadron’s morale/social events!
Award Packets:
The Support Officer is also assigned by AASMAN-1 to be in charge of applying for individual and unit awards for the squadron. This proves to be the most difficult job to meet for many support officers as there are many steps to take to complete a National Award Packet. Here are many useful documents to help any DS get the job done!
Awards PowerPoint
How to make Impact Bullet Statements
The Role of Area HQ
National Director of Support’s Focuses
2009-2010
Stimulate Communication
For any one of us to be successful we need to make sure the lines of communication are always open, horizontally and vertically. Vertical communication is a re-occurring issue in AAS. My solution is to always take the first step by being proactive rather than reactive. Initiating first contact is the most important key to success in communication. In addition, we should all attempt to get to know not only our chain of command, but all of our squadron and area counterparts. Horizontal communication is another solution to the communication breakdown in our society. Increasing horizontal communication is vital to the success of AAS as it stimulates unity on all levels of command. As an incentive this year, our staff has already budgeted funds to award squadrons that demonstrate effective horizontal communication.
Award Awareness
Award nominations over the past few years have continued to dwindle. We all are dedicated to furthering AAS, and everyone who goes above and beyond deserves to be recognized. I want you all to get the recognition you deserve on both the area and national level. To help increase award nominations, I will create an easy “how to” guide to submitting award packets. This will also reduce confusion by simplifying award nomination forms. In addition, I will increase award awareness by creating PowerPoint presentations and other documents that simplify the awards listed in AASMAN-1 for easy readability. This will be added to the National Website as well as distributed to all squadrons. Lastly, the deadline for submitting award packets from area to national will be continually reinforced in all national communication.
Squadron Development
Squadron Development includes two crucial areas for all of us to focus on – professional development and squadron unity. Professional development is the key in developing ourselves after candidate training and as future Air Force officers. To increase professional development, I plan to offer more guidance than has been given in the past, to include idea sharing from squadrons that have exceptional professional development programs. My other focus is squadron unity. Without unity among squadrons, we will never succeed as a national society. My solution for this is to push for inter-area interaction among squadrons. When we come together, we strengthen the bonds that will last each one of us a lifetime.