Company Grade Officers' Council stands up

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The recently reinvigorated Company Grade Officers' Council held a meeting to discuss leadership techniques and the future of their roles in the Air Force with senior leadership Feb. 20 at the Eagle's Landing officers' club.

The group was visited by Col. Jay Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing Commander, who explained the importance of the CGOC and expanded on the road ahead.

During the meeting, Colonel Silveria utilized various methods to relay his message of how to be a great leader.

It takes a good leader to recognize when they have made a bad call, it takes a great leader to actively change a bad call they made, said Colonel Silveria.

Colonel Silveria added that the CGOC is a great way for young officers to learn how to become those great leaders.

"The CGOC is a great tool for company grade officers to network and make useful connections with their peers," said 1st Lt. Travis Hilliard, 48th Munitions Squadron. "There are people in this room today that are meeting CGO's they have never seen before and that's because we haven't engaged with each other."

The CGOC will also provide officers with a better understanding of leadership techniques and styles by creating an open forum for company grade officers to learn from each other and senior leadership, helping them become more rounded leaders for their organizations and Airmen.

"Previously, the CGOC has been dormant on base, but hopefully with the help of all the company grade officers, it will grow and develop into something great," said Capt. Patrick Kucera, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron.

According to 1st Lt. Angela Naval, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the CGOC is also looking to form a relationship with the community and the Royal Air Force CGO's.

The first CGOC meeting was approximately one month ago right after the new officer elections, said Captain Kucera. "During our first meeting we only had nine people in attendance. Today, we have more than 50 officers in attendance."

The CGOC may just be beginning at RAF Lakenheath, but the end result will be increased communication and cooperation between the wing's future leaders.