Airmen to put Senior NCOs in hot seat Published July 17, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing Diversity Awareness Team is scheduled to host an "Airman to Airman" Lunch and Learn July 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Patriot Club Daedallion Room. The Lunch and Learn, open to E-1 through E-4, will allow junior ranking enlisted members to participate in a question and answer session with a panel of Senior NCOs. "Our goal, through these Lunch and Learns, is to provide learning opportunities to specific market segments of the community," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Chastity Matheny, 55th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor and Diversity Awareness Team program lead. "This session is for our Airman tier. Our next one will be in August and will focus on 'Women in Uniform.'" The goal of the July event is to help the Airmen adjust to the military's fluctuating atmosphere by hearing from those who have been through it before. "We hope that the Airmen gain an increased understanding of what lies ahead in their military career," said Jack Sweet, 55th Wing community support coordinator. "But we also want them to see that leaders are willing to share their own experiences in order to help them become future leaders." Matheny echoed his sentiment. "These senior leaders are willing to discuss and explain the top issues that our Airmen are currently challenged with and how they can overcome and adapt to the changing environment," Matheny said. "These Senior NCOs were just like them at one point. They all started out as Airmen and made a commitment to become a leader; now these leaders are willing to assist others who wish to follow in their footsteps." The Airmen attending are free to ask any questions and are not confined to any topic. "The Airmen can ask questions about what lies ahead of them or how to make the most of their career, inquire about issues they do not understand, and express their thoughts on how things are going," Matheny added. The event can accommodate a maximum of 50 people and the only cost to the Airmen is the price of the buffet: $5.25. "The lunch buffet is low cost to accommodate attendance of the junior ranks," Matheny said. "I would also like to see supervisors encourage their subordinates to attend and maybe even 'sponsor' their attendance by purchasing their meal." To sign-up or for more information, contact Matheny via email at chasity.matheny@us.af.mil. R.S.V.P. is needed by July 29. "We also welcome any feedback and any recommendations for future Lunch and Learn target groups," Matheny concluded.