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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Officer career direction, insight found at conference

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. --  More than 40 Air Force Reserve officers from across the United States traveled to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station recently to sharpen their leadership skills during the Junior Officer Leadership Development course, August 18-21.

Presented by 914th Airlift Wing Airmen, the four-day course featured senior officers who shared their experiences and thoughts on leadership with the lieutenants in an attempt to develop leadership at an early age within the Air Force Reserve Officer Corps. It provides the officers a professional development opportunity for obtaining valuable tools and skills in military leadership, career planning, and mentoring.

"It's an investment in their future contribution to the Air Force Reserve," said Maj. Gen. Richard Shook. "It really jumpstarts the young officers careers in the Air Force Reserve. These are hand-picked officers who were nominated by their units, so we believe we are mentoring the very highest echelon of young leadership."

The Niagara JOLD Conference had 41 attendees of different careers from AFRC units across the United States. Five of those attendees were from the 914th Airlift Wing. One of those members stated that other Airmen were impressed with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and the surrounding region.

"The conference allowed the company grade officers at the 914th to organize an inspiring event and showcase the Niagara Falls and Buffalo area," said Capt. Terri Gilmore of the 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "Highlights of the conference included a land navigation exercise at Old Fort Niagara developed by 914th Airmen, a Night Lantern Tour of the Fort, a senior enlisted panel composed of diverse senior non-commissioned officers from across the 914th Airlift Wing and concluded with an incentive flight on a C-130 over Niagara Falls."

During the events, the officers received special guidance from the general on difference facets of Air Force careers.

"Major General Shook easily connected with every CGO at the conference and shared his knowledge and experience," Gilmore said. "He provided an invaluable insight into the officer promotion board processes and revealed his own checklist for career success."

In addition to seemingly invaluable career information, it wasn't just the general broadening the minds of the Airmen. 914th Airlift Wing officers showed their peers how the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was becoming a true joint installation.

"We felt it was important to emphasize the associations of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve. We had briefers from the 107th Airlift Wing and the Army Reserve's 865th Combat Support Hospital give the attendees a better understanding of the overall mission here at Niagara," added Gilmore

Through the ranks, both company grade and general agreed on the fact that this conference successfully transferred leadership and career ideas and methods across the information spectrum.

"We had an outstanding JOLD support staff composed of members from across the wing; all of whom worked very hard to ensure an enjoyable and successful conference," said Gilmore. "It was well-received overall by the attendees and guest speakers. One of the guest speakers even made a recommendation to his organization that if they were looking for a place to hold a conference they should look at Niagara."

The general expressed how fortunate the junior officers are to have this program available so early in their careers.

"I wish this was around when I was starting out," Shook said. "It's a great course."