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Leaders mentor junior officers at Birds and Bars Dinner
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Company grade officers spoke with Col. Steve Tanous as well as several other Vandenberg senior officers at the Pacific Coast Club during a casual dinner sponsored by Vandenberg's Company Grade Officer's Council on July 31.
The Birds and Bars Dinner brought together the CGOC and senior leadership for an opportunity to swap perspective and receive mentorship.
"Mentorship is important to our development as Airmen," said event planner and CGOC professional development officer Capt. Phillip O'Connell.
During the dinner, the junior officers sat with commanders from throughout the 30th Space Wing and enjoyed informative conversations set in a relaxed environment.
After dinner Colonel Tanous offered a few words on mentoring to the assembly.
Mentoring isn't just for CGOs but for all Airmen, said Colonel Tanous.
"It isn't a one way street," he said "it goes both ways."
He went on to say that the Air Force has vastly improved in the area of mentoring, and officers will have to continue to refine this critical skill in order to better serve the Air Force.
The colonel said he felt the important part of the event was all the individual interactions that took place throughout the evening.
After the speech junior officers and senior leadership continued to mingle and exchange ideas.
Captain O'Connell said he was very pleased with how the evening went. "The dinner made a real good connection between the leadership." he said.
In particular, Captain O'Connell said he was proud to point out there were commanders from every single group and organization on base present at the event.
The CGOC hosts the Birds and Bars Dinner annually as part of its robust professional development program.
Anyone interested in learning more about the CGOC and future events can go to its website at https://intranet.vandenberg.af.mil/CGOC.