Tinker Talks

In this episode of Tinker Talks, 2nd Lt. Leyinzca Bihlajama sits down with Maj. Jason Bond of the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron and Flight Lt. Simon Bracewell, an exchange officer from the Royal Air Force serving in the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, during Red Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

In this episode of Tinker Talks, we sit down with Master Sgts. Daniel MacPherson and Kim Van Wormer, career assistance advisors from the Team Tinker Professional Development Center, and Airman 1st Class Lovely Mouton from the 72nd Force Support Squadron to talk about the importance of having a mentor, especially when it comes to retraining.

This episode is full of valuable information Airmen need to know when they’re thinking of retraining.

Please don’t forget to stay up-to-date with Tinker news and information:

www.tinker.af.mil

Facebook and Instagram - @TinkerAirForceBase

Twitter - @Team_Tinker

Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Commander Maj. Gen. Jeff King recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss his career, the OC-ALC mission and the innovative workforce. This is part one of a two-part conversation with the general.

In this episode of Tinker Talks, we discuss the Employee Enhancement Program with program manager, Wakita Oliver, and recent graduate, Josh Butler.

This episode is full of valuable information on the program and how to self-nominate when the data call window opens.

EEP is not just a program for someone wanting to be a supervisor, Oliver says.

“I try to give you the opportunities to have conversations with people [in various areas],” she added. “Mostly the program helps people see how they personally tie to the mission, which can help them with their career progression. If I don’t how I tie to the mission, what good is it to see where I can go next?”

Butler said one of the benefits of EEP being able to take lessons learned from the program back to the unit and help co-workers expand their horizons.

“Even if they’re too terrified or if they don’t get into EEP when they apply the first time, they still get those benefits because we organically take it back wherever we go,” he said.

Participants in the year-long program participate in group activities such as base tours, meetings with senior leaders and community service projects.

The program is open to civilians who are GS-09 to GS-12 (and their AcqDemo equivalents) and WG-08 to WS-14s (including WL/WS-09s) and who have completed three years of federal service.

Get more information on Tinker Air Force Base, including details on the EEP data call, on social media and the base website:

www.tinker.af.mil

Facebook and Instagram - @TinkerAirForceBase

Twitter - @Team_Tinker

Until next time, thanks for listening, thanks for sharing and stay safe out there and respect one another.

Air Force Materiel Command’s Connect program is an initiative to focus on building relationships.

This month, we invited Chaplain (Maj.) Chris Reeder from the Tinker Chapel to join us on this episode of Tinker Talks to discuss the topic of Hope.

The purpose of AFMC Connect is to help units invest in their collective success by providing the time, tools, and resources to enhance personal and professional performance. AFMC Connect allows leaders at every level to have active and sustained engagement with their people.

This is not a “one size fits all” initiative, but rather it provides a standardized message with accompanying tools and resources to better assist in successful engagement. This is a holistic approach to strengthen resilience, reinforce protective factors and reduce unwanted behaviors through deliberate and meaningful personal and professional development. Focusing on our mission, building a shared purpose, and strong connections will aid in assisting our most vital resource, our people and create the AFMC We Need!

What began out of a tragedy has turned into a triumph for the young military members stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.

Pam Kloiber, executive director and co-founder of the Team Tinker Home Away From Home program, recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss the program that pairs young service members with civilian host families to help alleviate the anxiety of being alone and far from home, often for the first time.

On an icy Christmas Eve in 2011, two Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing were killed in an automobile accident in Oklahoma City. After a conversation with then-552nd ACW Commander Col. Greg Guillot, Kloiber had her marching orders and set out to create a program modeled after a similar one at the Air Force Academy.

Over the last 10 years, more than 1,000 first term Airmen and Sailors have taken Kloiber up on her offer and actively participated in the program.

Service members can become part of HAFH through several different avenues, Kloiber said. In addition to being linked with a host family, service members can attend a monthly life skills class through the “Empowerment, Enhancement and Education” initiative.

Airmen looking for something to do over the holidays are welcome to reach out to Kloiber through the channels listed below. No commitment to join the program is necessary.

For more information on the program, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TeamTinkerHomeAwayFromHome/ or their website at www.teamtinkerhomeawayfromhome.org. Airmen interested in the program can reach out to the career assistance advisors at the First Term Airman Center at 405-736-4959 or [email protected].

In this episode of Tinker Talks, we sit down with the Misty Feller, Tinker’s new domestic abuse victim advocate to discuss domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Domestic abuse does not discriminate,” Feller said. “People of any age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, education level and economic status can be a victim, or perpetrator, of domestic abuse.”

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, call the Family Advocacy 24-hour hotline at 405-256-2825.

In this episode of Tinker Talks, we discuss diversity and inclusion with Jose Milan, chief of Tinker’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility office. Air Force Materiel Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch Jr. has said he wants AFMC to lead the Air Force in having a diverse and inclusive workforce. That’s where Milan’s DEIA team comes in.

This episode is full of valuable information on how to make our workspaces more inclusive. Like General Bunch said, diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to the success of the command. Please give it a full listen and tell a friend to listen.

Please don’t forget to stay up-to-date with Tinker news and information:

www.tinker.af.mil

Facebook and Instagram - @TinkerAirForceBase

Twitter - @Team_Tinker

Until next time, thanks for listening, thanks for sharing and stay safe out there and respect one another.

Air Force Materiel Command’s Connect program is an initiative to focus on building relationships.

We invited Jae Grinston from the Diversity & Inclusion Office and Wakita Oliver from the 72nd Force Support Squadron to join us on this episode of Tinker Talks to discuss the topic of Outlook.

The purpose of AFMC Connect is to help units invest in their collective success by providing the time, tools, and resources to enhance personal and professional performance. AFMC Connect allows leaders at every level to have active and sustained engagement with their people.

This is not a “one size fits all” initiative, but rather it provides a standardized message with accompanying tools and resources to better assist in successful engagement. This is a holistic approach to strengthen resilience, reinforce protective factors and reduce unwanted behaviors through deliberate and meaningful personal and professional development. Focusing on our mission, building a shared purpose, and strong connections will aid in assisting our most vital resource, our people and create the AFMC We Need!

In this episode of Tinker Talks, host April McDonald sits down with the 72nd Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, Col. G. Hall Sebren Jr.

Col. Sebren took command just a few short months ago, but has hit the ground running. He discusses his leadership approach and warrior mindset as well as top priorities.

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www.tinker.af.mil