Company Grade Officers ‘brown bags’ mentoring program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Travis Broadnax
  • SMC Comptroller's Office
Col. Edward Bolton Jr., Launch and Range Systems Wing commander at the Space and Missile Systems Center, gave a mentorship briefing during the Air Force Cadet Mentor Action Program Brown Bag Luncheon, July 20. Primarily for Company Grade Officers, Colonel Bolton spoke on the changing roles of leadership in the present and future Air Force.

In true brown bag fashion, attendees ate their lunches as Colonel Bolton opened the briefing with a summary of his own career as he walked around the room and commented on the endless amount of potential within the current generation of CGOs.

He posed four categories of CGO Capability - Basic, Good, Great and Innovative. These four tiers of leadership showed the wide difference from 100 percent of officers who simply know the basics to those 1 in 1,000 innovative visionaries who will shape the future.

Colonel Bolton stressed the importance of taking risks in the face of adversity and having a sincere love for what they do.

During the floor discussion, some asked about their current positions within their unit while others asked more general questions about force-shaping and how to become "bulletproof."

Colonel Bolton is responsible for the management of the programs and personnel who develop, acquire, modify and sustain common user systems of the Air Force Satellite Control Network and Space Launch Ranges and spacelift vehicles.

The AFSCN systems provide Air Force Space Command and operational users the capability to track, perform orbital and trajectory analysis, process mission and telemetry data and command satellites. The SLR systems provide range safety and test control for space launch boosters and aeronautical and ballistic missile systems on both coasts of the United States.

Since 1989, the AFCOMAP has been promoting professional and leadership development for all Air Force Officers. It strives to assist officer candidates (cadets) with their transition into the Air Force, to support retention of minority officers in the Air Force, and to promote the image of the Air Force in our local communities by seeking to stimulate the interest of youth in an Air Force career in the service of our nation. The vision of AFCOMAP is embodied in the statement, "Every officer mentored; every officer a mentor."

For more information regarding the AFCOMAP chapter and upcoming events, contact Major Eric Reed, 310-653-2486, or Lt. Col. Ivan Thompson, 310-653-2017.