Enlisted Citizen Airmen get ear of AFRC Commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  Citizen Airmen often express concerns through their chain of command, but they rarely get the chance to speak with the top leader of the Air Force Reserve and share what's on their mind.

Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., commander of Air Force Reserve Command, headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., had lunch with 16 Airmen from 10th Air Force and the 301st Fighter Wing, April 21 at Moreland Hall Dining Facility here.

For the Airmen who attended the lunch, it was an opportunity that many never have the honor to experience.

"I was excited and anxious to meet somebody of that caliber," said Senior Airman Major Berry, 457th Fighter Squadron aviation-resource manager. "I'd love to meet him again."

Participants ranged from Senior Airmen to Chief Master Sergeant and represented a variety of career fields. Those chosen understood the uniqueness of the experience, regardless of rank.

"It's an honor, a privilege, to have the ear of the command," said Senior Master Sgt. Dregory Jones, Sr., the 610th Support Group commander's executive assistant. "If I have a question, I'm going straight to the top."

Several topics were discussed at the lunch including the Air Reserve Technician program, leadership development, the Fit-to-Fight program, uniforms, suicide prevention and upcoming changes in the command.

General Stenner encouraged the group of enlisted reservists to look at change in a positive way.

"With change comes opportunity," he said. "If you take these opportunities and make the best of them, we make a better Air Force."

He also took note of the effort Airmen stationed here apply to their duties.

"Thank you for what you all are doing here," he said. "It's noticed at the highest levels."

General Stenner's visit was part of his Mid-America tour that included stops at several Air Force bases in the Midwest and Southwest U.S.