The Leading Edge: Developing Officers For Command

In this episode of The Leading Edge, we focus on 360-degree feedback and how it can improve the unit and more importantly you as leaders. Retired Lt. Col. Matthew Bethel of the 130th Airlift Wing who served as Operations Support Squadron Commander leads the discussion. He provides personal experiences from his career, and explains how feedback given and received are vital to our growth as leaders. Col. Richard Switzer, the program's facilitator, opens the episode; he is also the Deputy Wing Commander of the 130th Wing.

In this episode of The Leading Edge, we focus on the Wing Inspector General office what they do and how they support the Commander and the Airmen of the Wing. Lt. Col. Chad Board of the 130th Airlift Wing serves as Inspector General and leads the discussion. He provides an overview of the IG office, including its purpose and structure. Col. Richard Switzer, the program's facilitator, opens the episode; he is also the Deputy Wing Commander of the 130th Wing.

In this episode of The Leading Edge, we focus on the new Deployable Combat Wing (DCW) and share what we currently know as we begin its implementation. Lt. Col. Victor Dumrongkietiman of the 130th Airlift Wing serves as Chief of Staff and leads the discussion. He provides an overview of the DCW, including its purpose and structure. Col. Patrick Chard, the program's author and facilitator, opens the episode; he is also the Deputy Wing Commander of the 130th Wing. Please note that all information regarding the DCW is pre-decisional and subject to change.

On this episode of the Leading Edge, we focus on the leadership dynamic of the First Sergeant and the Commander, and its impact on the overall organization. SMSgt. Callen, who leads the discussion, is the 130th Wing Staff and Medical Group First Sergeant. Senior Callen articulates the role the “Shirt” plays in ensuring good order and discipline amongst their team, prioritizing the welfare of the Airmen they are assigned. The episode starts and closes with Deputy Wing Commander Col. Patrick Chard, the program’s author and facilitator.

In this episode, the focus is on Airman developmental feedback. The session is led by Chief Master Sgt. Kevan Williams, who is the 130th Airlift Wing Command Chief. During this session, Chief Williams explains some concepts of feedback, and insights into what it is and what it is not. The episode starts and closes by Deputy Wing Commander Col. Patrick Chard, the program author and facilitator.

In this episode, the focus is on empowerment. The session is led by Lt. Col. Ryan Harrah, who is the deputy commander of the 130th Maintenance Group. He dives into the tools and challenges that come with empowering your subordinates as a commander. The episode is started and closed by Vice Wing Commander Col. Patrick Chard, who is the program author and facilitator.

This episode focuses on two topics. The roles and missions of the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Joint Force Headquarters, presented by Col. Robert Kincaid, the director of J5 strategies, plans, and policy for the WVNG. Emotional intelligence training presented by SMSgt. Laura Moore, the Human Relations Advisor for the 130th Airlift Wing (130th AW), Ms. Melinda Himstedt, Director of Psychological Health for the 130th AW, and Master Sgt. Karen Cummings, the future Human Relations Advisor for the 130th AW. Vice Wing Commander Col. Patrick Chard, the program author, and facilitator, starts and closes the episode.

The third episode of this twelve-part series focuses on strategic planning and developing organizational goals and objectives. Vice Wing Commander Colonel Patrick Chard, the program author and facilitator walks us through the why and how of strategic planning.

This episode focuses on exposing officers to simulated real life scenarios commanders face concerning Airman conduct, discipline, incident response, work/life balance, etc.  The situations shown use the “What Now, Airman?” series of videos to present moral and ethical gray areas that facilitate discussion amongst the group.  This session is led by SMSgt Laura Moore the Human Relations Advisor for the 130th Airlift Wing with input from Ms. Melinda Himstedt, Director of Psychological Health.  Opening and closing comments are provided by Col Patrick Chard, Vice Wing Commander.

The first episode of this twelve-part series describes this locally derived developmental program and defines the responsibilities of command. Vice Wing Commander, Colonel Patrick Chard, the program author, and facilitator leads this first block of instruction. The Leading Edge: Developing Officers For Command is a twelve part podcast covering a wide range of topics focused to prepare junior officers for future command and/or senior leadership. Topics include: command responsibility, development of organizational goals, emotional intelligence, techniques for empowerment, promoting cooperate diversity, developmental feedback discussions, inclusivity, team building and more! Note: Audio for these episodes has been recorded during live sessions held at the 130th AW.