Seminar brings services, nations together

by Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/8/2013 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  -- Yokota Air Base hosts an Airman Enhancement Seminar here April 8 - 10, 2013 to help E1 through E4s grow as leaders.

The class consists of 40 Airmen, two Sailors, one Soldier and 2 Japan Air Self-Defense Force members.

"I want this class to open the attendees' eyes to all of the issues they could face in their career," said Tech Sgt. Chudy Molina, seminar instructor. "The seminar is designed to challenge them as well as provide an opportunity to network with peers."

The class focuses on topics such as standards and discipline, Chief and shirt panels, leader development and JASDF history.

"I want attendees to put themselves in the scenarios we give them," said Molina. "I want them to think, 'how does this decision affect the outcome'."

Being the first of its kind, the seminar is a chance for junior ranks to take advantage of leadership opportunities and to strengthen joint and bilateral bonds.

According to Molina, students have a unique opportunity to learn about their host nation's leadership styles as well as strengthen relations.

"This class provides a great opportunity to members that have not been to professional military education," said Senior Airman Gregory Wallace, 374th Communications Squadron network applications technician. "Being able to work and communicate with JASDF members and our joint services allows us to gain extra knowledge and apply it at an early stage in our careers."

Airman 1st Class Yukari Odagiri, JASDF member, enjoys the seminar as an attendee and likes a specific characteristic of the seminar.

"I like the variety of briefers," she said. "JASDF does not have a program such as Air Force Inspector General so I enjoyed learning about it."

"This is the first-ever seminar of its kind held at Yokota," said Master Sgt. Daniel Chapman, 374th Airlift Wing career assistance advisor. "Future classes will be molded from the feedback of the current students."

While the seminar is meant to inform attendees of a subordinate's role, Chapman has an additional goal in mind.

"We are not doing things by ourselves anymore," said Chapman. "By strengthening our joint and bilateral relationships, we can help one another achieve our common goals."