AFDW host developmental seminar with key Air Force leaders

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
Airmen representing the National Capital Region enlisted, officer and civilian force attended the annual Air Force District of Washington Capital Airmen Development Seminar to enhance their leadership skills Dec. 2 through 5 here.

Airmen had the opportunity to learn from several key Air Force leaders who briefed throughout the seminar.

Topics ranged from leadership perspectives and experiences to the future of the force. During the final day of the course Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning talked about the budget issues the Air Force and the Department of Defense face today.

"We are going to be asked to do the same thing with less people and less resources," he said. "This has caused people to start thinking more creatively about ways to save time and money."

Fanning also discussed his concerns about the effect of sequester and furlough on the force.

"I worry about what we are doing to people more than anything, because we have amazing people performing an amazing mission at the tip of the spear," he said.

Additionally, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Larry Spencer shared personal leadership stories with the group as he talked to the attendees about his "12 Leadership Lessons." Spencer's lessons stressed the impact each individual can have on their unit.

"Your job is to make your unit better, not just maintain status quo," Spencer said. "Every day people are looking at you as supervisors and commanders and they are learning something from each of you, whether it is good or bad."