LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Do Airmen have a voice? Do wing commanders care what they think?
Airmen Committed to Excellence is an Air Force-wide organization comprised of E-1s through E-4s who want to have their concerns heard by wing leadership, help the community, and raise morale.
ACE establishes an effective means of communication for all members to exchange ideas, keep abreast of adverse morale trends and advance in management principles, according to ACE's charter.
"As a single voice, you're just an Airman," said Senior Airman Robert Oden, ACE public affairs officer and 10th Intelligence Squadron computer network infrastructure technician. "But if you're in a group of Airmen, it's hard to be ignored."
If an Airman has concerns around base such as their dorm room size, bigger portions at the dining facility, or parking, then ACE is there to hear the Airman's concerns, said Senior Airman Sheldon O. Keddo, presidential adviser for ACE and 10th IS systems engineer.
It's possible other Airmen have the same concerns but don't know where to turn, said Airman Keddo. If problems are never stated then how can they be fixed?
The council members are here to listen and discuss the problems and move it up the chain of command, said Airman Keddo.
ACE is sponsored by the 1st Fighter Wing Command Chief, so Airmen do have a voice in wing leadership.
The organization also gives Airmen the opportunity to step into leadership positions and be mentored by executive councils like Club 56, Top 3 and first sergeants, who have helped pave the way, said Airman Oden.
In the past ACE has worked with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, in which volunteers deliver food to the elderly and the underprivileged, and Big Brother and Big Sister, an outreach program that matches adult volunteers with a youth from single-parent homes.
"ACE gives Airmen the ability to spearhead these events and help build their leadership skills that they normally wouldn't have this early in their career," said Airman Oden.
The biggest benefit of being an ACE member, besides socializing and adjusting to Langley, is helping Airmen strive for excellence, said Airman Keddo.