Partnership sends enlisted cruising

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Approximately 40 junior enlisted service members assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, enjoyed a free lunch cruise along the Tampa Bay March 8, 2015, by courtesy of the MacDill Network 5/6 and MacDill Alliance.

The 5th Annual Enlisted Meet & Greet Reception provided the attendees an avenue to build relationships with the Tampa Bay community and receive mentorship while in a casual setting.

In return, the MacDill Alliance community leaders had the opportunity to listen to the needs and concerns of the service members, and see how they could better support the men and women at MacDill.

Since all branches of service were welcomed to participate, the invitation was extended to E-1 through E-5s to allow someone from each combatant command to attend.

Events such as this are what the Network 5/6 strives to put together in order to encourage professional development and community involvement for the NCO and junior enlisted tiers.

"The biggest benefit any NCO will get out of being a part of the Network 5/6 is the networking," said Tech. Sgt. Orlando Ortega, Network 5/6 president.

Partnerships with the local organizations make events like the cruise happen.

"Normally the MacDill Alliance operates independently, but for this effort neither of the organizations could fund this event by themselves," said Ortega.

Together, the Network 5/6 and local community organizations contributed a total of $2,000.

"We hold two events each year and we are hoping the cruise will continue to be one of the events," said Teresa Foss, a founder of MacDill Alliance. "Thank you to our sponsors and the Network 5/6 for your support and helping us make this event happen!"