Broadening Airmen's perspective is main goal for JETS
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
For Airmen at Sheppard looking to gain insight in their career development and be involved in helping solve issues related to the junior enlisted base population, then becoming an active participant in the Junior Enlisted Team Sheppard (JETS) organization is a good place to start.
The goal of JETS is to help educate junior NCO's and Airmen on issues that directly impact them and also provide a direct line of communication with base leadership. Chief Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 82nd Training Wing command chief, attends the meetings as an observer, along with providing guidance and ideas.
"For a long time (JETS) was seen as a volunteer manpower pool," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Thornhill, NCOIC of the base honor guard and JETS president. "We have been trying to move away from that to a group where Airmen can learn about career development topics such as performance reports, new regulations, etc. Throw in some volunteer opportunities and we provide Airmen a chance to really get involved at Sheppard."
Promotion parties and inductions for NCO's is one function the JETS are actively involved in, along with sponsoring gifts for the quarterly and annual award winners. They also have assisted the 82nd TRW during Exodus, helping ensure Airmen navigate the Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport coming back from the holidays.
JETS membership comes with no dues and is open any enlisted member, E-6 and below.
"Membership in the organization is automatic," Thornhill said. "Getting members to come out and get involved actively is one of the areas we are trying to work on."
Through active recruiting by current members of JETS and word of mouth in the SNCO corps, membership has been on the rise. Currently about 30-35 members attend the monthly meetings.
"One of our goals for this coming year is to continue to promote career development throughout the junior enlisted ranks," Thornhill said. "Whether it is information they may not get in their work centers or just a guest speaker's perspective, we hope to keep adding to each Airmen's tool belt of information."
Thornhill, who has been the JETS president since June of 2012, also added networking is a key bonus of being a JETS member.
"Airmen get the chance to interact with other Airmen from across the base," he said. "Networking is a huge part of making the mission happen, so providing that opportunity has a lot of value by itself."
Meetings are held at 11:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month at Tommy D's, located inside the Sheppard Club. Members can eat lunch during the meetings. The next scheduled meeting is Feb. 12.
For more information on JETS, contact Tech. Sgt. Thornhill at 676-4984.
The goal of JETS is to help educate junior NCO's and Airmen on issues that directly impact them and also provide a direct line of communication with base leadership. Chief Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 82nd Training Wing command chief, attends the meetings as an observer, along with providing guidance and ideas.
"For a long time (JETS) was seen as a volunteer manpower pool," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Thornhill, NCOIC of the base honor guard and JETS president. "We have been trying to move away from that to a group where Airmen can learn about career development topics such as performance reports, new regulations, etc. Throw in some volunteer opportunities and we provide Airmen a chance to really get involved at Sheppard."
Promotion parties and inductions for NCO's is one function the JETS are actively involved in, along with sponsoring gifts for the quarterly and annual award winners. They also have assisted the 82nd TRW during Exodus, helping ensure Airmen navigate the Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport coming back from the holidays.
JETS membership comes with no dues and is open any enlisted member, E-6 and below.
"Membership in the organization is automatic," Thornhill said. "Getting members to come out and get involved actively is one of the areas we are trying to work on."
Through active recruiting by current members of JETS and word of mouth in the SNCO corps, membership has been on the rise. Currently about 30-35 members attend the monthly meetings.
"One of our goals for this coming year is to continue to promote career development throughout the junior enlisted ranks," Thornhill said. "Whether it is information they may not get in their work centers or just a guest speaker's perspective, we hope to keep adding to each Airmen's tool belt of information."
Thornhill, who has been the JETS president since June of 2012, also added networking is a key bonus of being a JETS member.
"Airmen get the chance to interact with other Airmen from across the base," he said. "Networking is a huge part of making the mission happen, so providing that opportunity has a lot of value by itself."
Meetings are held at 11:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month at Tommy D's, located inside the Sheppard Club. Members can eat lunch during the meetings. The next scheduled meeting is Feb. 12.
For more information on JETS, contact Tech. Sgt. Thornhill at 676-4984.
