AFTC member voices teen concerns at training session in San Antonio

by Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A National Air Force Teen Council Midwest representative here recently attended a Joint Service Teen Council training session in San Antonio with other teens from across the country representing the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The event was designed for representatives to speak on behalf of other military teens worldwide on issues facing them, and present the information to senior leaders, including Dr. Candace Bird, chief of the Department of Defense Air Force Child and Youth Programs; Col. Marc Piccolo, director of Air Force Services; and Heidi Welch, chief of Air Force Child and Youth Programs.

"Honestly, I didn't know what this program was at first other than it was a leadership program that gave a voice to Air Force teens," said Paige Holmes, 17, the AFTC member representing the Midwest, including Grand Forks AFB.

"To be afforded this opportunity means a lot to me because I get to be a voice for thousands of Air Force teens all across the Midwest." Holmes said that over the course of the event, she and the other teen representatives aired their concerns about school credit transfers through various military installations, lack of teen involvement on base and more. After identifying the issues, the teens broke into groups to discuss possible solutions, and gave them to junior advisors (other teens who had served at least one prior term on the council) to brief to senior leaders.

"I do feel like I accomplished a lot in Texas, but 'I' wouldn't be the right word to use for this instance," said Holmes. "We, as an entire Air Force Teen Council, accomplished and learned a lot from each other over the week. Not only did we make connections with teens from all around the world, but we also had the opportunity to better ourselves as leaders, and I feel like that is exactly what we did."

Holmes explained that she and her team planned Air Force-wide quarterly projects. The teams were comprised of one junior advisor, one leader, and three to four regional representatives, and each team was assigned to a project.

The teams then came up with implementation plans for their projects, which were shared Air Force-wide. Holmes said she and other representatives hold monthly conference calls to check up on installations in the Midwest region for feedback on events, program implementations and any new concerns. Holmes spoke very highly of her experience with the AFTC and urged other teens to look into the program.

"I love being an Air Force Teen Council member because I have the chance to be a voice for, and improve the lives of many Air Force teens," said Holmes. "Being a part of this group makes me feel like I really can make a difference, not only in my community, but in the world. To be able to help others in this way makes me feel honored and truly humbled. "