MacDill holds women’s leadership panel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexis Suarez
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing

More than 25 Airmen across the 6th Air Refueling Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing attended a women’s leadership initiative chief’s panel hosted by four command chief master sergeants stationed here, Sept. 16, at the Bay Palms Golf Course restaurant.

Panel members included Chief Master Sgt. Shae D. Gee, 6th ARW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Kruger, 927th ARW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Erin Willis, 927th Maintenance Group superintendent and Chief Master Sgt. Catrell Wilson, 6th Operations Group superintendent.

The panelists highlighted the importance of mentoring women at all levels of their careers and the importance of seeking guidance, topics such as pillar management, setbacks, family, competitive and flexible career moves, and mental health were discussed.

“I was working all day, then would go home and continue to work, I wasn’t taking care of myself,” said Kruger. “Self-awareness is number one. You have to be aware of who you are, what your values are, what you believe, and I lost myself over those years which made some relationships in my life suffer and as a chief you’re building relationships.”

During the hour lunch panelist shared their experience with the Air Force and personal life when diving into the topics to showcase how women are breaking barriers and challenges to break glass ceilings.

“I never understood the dynamic of balancing family time versus work time,” said Gee. “We struggled to figure out life after kids, my husband on his own while I was away but we figured it out, work stayed at work and family time was family time.”

At the end of the panel, many women across the room shared their love for the growth and changes in the Air Force. The military is providing resources to build strong women and place them in leadership roles to grow a stronger foundation for current and future women in the military. When we work together as a family, we grow stronger together.