Capt. Jordan Arcturus
Home State: Florida
Chapter: Cape Canaveral Chapter #309 (Fla.)
Joined AFA: 2017
AFA Office: Chapter President
Occupation: Health Admin/Flight Commander
AFA Interests: Field Council, Development, Aerospace Education Council
Mentor: Mike Liquori
How did you first hear of AFA?
I first heard about AFA back at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., when the long-time chapter president decided to step down. Some of the chapter members approached me to run for the position. So, after that I was elected and served as the chapter president for 3 ½ years.
What prompted you to join?
Becoming a chapter president was a pretty big motivator, but I decided to keep serving as I appreciated AFA’s mission to work with our local communities and improve the lives of those that serve.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
There are numerous enjoyable aspects, but the main benefit would be the network of individuals that you are exposed to on a daily basis. Many of the individuals you interface with are pillars of the community and have served in some very important missions when they served. Being able to talk and learn from them is an invaluable asset to anyone’s life and career.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
My favorite events and activities center around STEM education within the local community. I’ve had the chance to partner with school districts for various science fairs, and to be able to see our next generation get excited about a project is really inspiring to witness.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA keeps me informed of larger issues concerning our Airmen and has given me an outlet to contribute in a positive way to each community that I have lived, regardless of where my Air Force career takes me.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
Getting younger Airmen/Guardians to take an interest through unique volunteer and leadership positions within AFA is key. They have so many options when it comes to picking a private organization, and not a lot of time outside of work to volunteer. So, AFA must focus on being the premier choice for their time and career.
MSgt. Chris Gage
Home State: Mississippi
Chapter: Stennis Chapter #332 (Miss.)
Joined AFA: 2012
Occupation: Medical Equipment Tech/Superintendent, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
AFA Interests: Membership, Awards, and Development
Mentor: Molly Mae Potter
How did you first hear of AFA?
A really good friend of mine was the president of the local chapter and invited me to a meeting. Afterward, I took the time to look up what AFA does at the national level and was very impressed with all they try to do for our nation’s Airmen, and now, Guardians.
What prompted you to join AFA?
The opportunities. The idea of being an “Airman for Life,” well beyond the time I put my uniform on for the last time is amazing to me. The networking, friendships, events, all of it in general. I have met so many people being a part of AFA.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The people—whether you are a civilian, retiree, veteran, old, young, part of big business, or just starting a business—AFA draws and has so many different people that are connected to so many great things that happen each day in this nation.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
The [Aerospace Warfare] symposium, hands down. After my first one, I knew I wanted to be a part of this for life and that I wanted to come to each one. Meeting national board members, state and regional presidents, hearing the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force speak … all of it was over-the-top impressive and such a massive experience for me.
How has AFA helped you?
It has opened my eyes to not only the importance of staying connected, but the people you stay connected with. If anything, it has helped me tell a better Air Force story to my fellow Airmen and those that support what we do every day.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
By taking small steps. From inviting a new friend to a meeting, taking five minutes to talk about it in our meetings and huddles, advertising it in the areas we live and work, to national things such as commercials, magazines, and events. There is no one way to build awareness about AFA, it is too huge and offers too much to just have one way to build awareness about it. The No. 1 recourse I use to build awareness is AFA.org. I would challenge anyone to go there, read about what AFA has to offer, and actively seek out ways they can serve through their local chapters.
MSgt. Sandra Gage
Home State: California
Chapter: Northeast Texas Chapter #416
Joined AFA: 2008
AFA Office: Chapter President
Military Service: 2005-Present, Active duty
Occupation: Logistics Operations Manager
Education: Bachelor of Science, Supply Chain and Logistics Operations, Bellevue University, Neb.
Mentor: Tom Kemp
How did you first hear about AFA?
I first heard of AFA when I was a young staff sergeant at my first duty station in 2008. My supervisor at the time was a chapter member and convinced me to sign up. However, I only attended a few meetings, and then did not hear about it again until I PCS’d to my current squadron, 645th AESS Greenville, Texas in 2018.
What prompted you to join AFA?
To be honest, I initially joined Chapter 416 for EPR [enlisted performance report] volunteer bullets, but I have stayed because I love the support we provide to the community and what the organization stands for.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
Being a part of something bigger than myself and of course getting to meet wonderful people. As far as what the monetary cost of the membership provides, I enjoy receiving the Air Force Magazine so I can stay up to date with current events and to read about other members’ successes.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
My favorite AFA events are the state and national meetings. It is because of meeting new people and the ability to network far beyond anything I have ever done. I get to be amongst a group of elite leaders and be mentored by individuals that have a breadth of knowledge. The meetings also highlight all the great things that the organization is doing. The funds raised go to great causes and have such a positive impact on our communities.
How has AFA helped you?
Personally, AFA has forced me out of my comfort zone and has shown me that I am capable of more than I thought. Professionally, it has provided me an opportunity to practice my leadership skills, since I am the lowest ranking member in my work section and do not supervise anyone.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
I feel the use of social media has been a great help in building awareness about AFA. Of course, the annual convention helps as well. Then, by word of mouth and sponsoring STEM events in our respective communities.
Lt. Marc Granville
Home State: Germany
Chapter: Ramstein Chapter #507 (Germany)
Joined AFA: 2015
AFA Office: Field Council
Occupation: Force Support Officer
AFA Interests: Field Council
Mentor: Joe Burke
How did you first hear of AFA?
I was in the Air Force for almost four years before I knew what AFA was. I was a part of many other organizations and had seen some of the by-products of what AFA does, but never knew what AFA was. I was at Langley Air Force Base, Va., helping create the men’s base basketball team. I went to a meeting to take a picture . . . because an organization was donating money to help our team. It happened to be the Langley AFA Chapter meeting. I was able to see that AFA was much different than any other professional organization that what I have been a part of. So, I decide to become a member and continue to learn more about the organization.
What prompted you to join?
Attending my first AFA chapter meeting at Langley, I realized that AFA provided personal development and learning opportunities that I have not seen anywhere else. I wanted to continue to learn and grow within my Air Force career and potentially become a commissioned officer. I came to find out that AFA was the perfect opportunity to make that possible.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
What I enjoy most about my AFA membership is the access to information that I have. I also enjoy the personal development, mentorship, connections, and friendships that I have gained from AFA as well.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
My favorite AFA program, event or project is the Air, Space & Cyberspace Conference held in September every year in Washington, D.C., at National Harbor. I call the event the “Grammy’s of the Air Force” because all the top leaders are in attendance at the event. The event feels like a combination of an awards banquet, party, and family reunion … the perfect opportunity to network, meet new people, or connect with old friends.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA changed my life forever! I attended the ASC conference as an Active-duty Enlisted Senior Airmen back in September 2016. At that event I was able to network and make a connection that afforded me the opportunity to join the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Maryland. Two years later I was able to commission as an officer. Without joining AFA and attending that event, I might not be in the position that I am today!
How do we build awareness about AFA?
By continuing to host events that add value and make a difference in the community. Also, we can help build awareness by sharing members stories about how AFA has impacted them and how it could potentially impact other people’s lives as well. Then we can continue to use social media and other platforms to share and connect with more members.
SSgt. Edward Hood (ANG)
Home State: Florida
Chapter: Savannah Chapter #137 (Ga.)
Joined AFA: 2017
AFA Office: Chapter President
Occupation: IT Manager & Traditional ANG
AFA Interests: Membership and Development
Mentor: Mac MacAloon
How did you first hear of AFA?
When I was an Airman 1st Class at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. I didn’t join because I thought it was for officers.
What prompted you to join?
When I was in the Florida Air National Guard I had to go before a board to interview for a full-time position. One of the areas on the application was membership in a professional development organization. AFA was on the list. I contacted AFA to find out about our local chapter. I learned it was shut down. So, I convinced four other Airman to join my board, and we restarted/rebuilt the chapter. This chapter is now flourishing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
AFA gives you the opportunity to continue serving your country in or out of uniform. AFA has been around since before the creation of the USAF. Every Airman would be a member if they knew what AFA has and continues to do for them every day. As an Emerging Leader, I get to present ideas which will help us reach the next generation.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
The Aerospace Warfare Symposium. If you want to see cutting-edge air, space, and cyberspace technology, you better be at AWS each year. One year they had Elon Musk as a guest speaker. It is the place to be every year for both Airman and Guardians.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has put me into positions which challenged me and gave me plenty of room to grow both personally and professionally. I have gained a lot of experience leading people of different demographics. It has also given many a lot of great connections in the air, space, and cyberspace industry. If you want to grow your network, join AFA.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
Understand, the next generation is not reading this Air Force Magazine on a regular basis. They are on social media. We must deliver our message through social media. We must make the AFA Daily Report into a podcast and have that podcast delivered to ALL our social channels. The top social media platforms are Facebook and YouTube. Once Publer is fully integrated, we need to push that podcast out to all the Chapter Facebook pages every day. The ROI [return on investment] for this would be incredible.
Caroline Jok
Home State: Texas
Chapter: Thunderbird Chapter #189 (Nev.)
Joined AFA: 2015
Occupation: Intel Analyst
AFA Interests: Aerospace Education
Mentor: Mary Anne Thompson
How did you first hear of AFA?
I was a senior in high school interested in joining the Air Force and while I was researching, the Air Force Association popped up on Google.
What prompted you to join?
I figured, ‘What better way to learn about the Air Force than to be in an association that is made to educate, advocate, and provide support for the Air Force?’ It was a no-brainer. After that I reached out to my local chapter, and they were extremely welcoming.
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The mentorship and friendships. I joined AFA to learn more about the Air Force, but I stayed—and stayed active—because I was surrounded by amazing people from all walks of life that had so much to teach me and who were so eager and willing to share their knowledge and experience.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
I’ve worked with at least eight different chapters, and while every chapter is supporting AFA programs, they all have unique events that they hold in order to do so. That being said, my absolute favorite AFA event is the annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference. Not only are we there to discuss questions that are critical to the Air Force and have AFA meetings, but in between the business it’s also like a giant family reunion—except the ‘family’ are people who are doing great things in the Air Force, industry, and their communities.
How has AFA helped you?
AFA has done so much for me. It introduced me to phenomenal people, provided me with a scholarship to earn my PPL [private pilot license], gave me an outlet to work in my community advocating for issues I believe are critically important, and kept me connected with the Air Force even when it became clear that pursuing a commission wasn’t an immediate possibility. There’s no question that I would not be where I am or who I am today without AFA.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
We need to first determine who our audience is in order to build a strategy that works—and ‘everyone’ is not the best answer in this case. If there are multiple audiences, then the messaging and outreach for each group is likely to be different. Ultimately, I think we need dig deeper into social media marketing and partnerships, and we need to strive to show meaningful impact. If I could choose the audience to target, I would pick people in their mid-20s to mid-30s, that’s the age demographic that we could really use right now to challenge and adapt AFA. I would start with garnering membership from people who are somehow affiliated with the Air Force.
Janelle Stafford
Home State: Oklahoma
Chapter: Gerrity Chapter #215
(Oklahoma)
Joined AFA: 2016
Occupation: Marketing & Leasing Director
AFA Interests: Strategic Planning
Mentor: Mark Tarpley
When did you first hear of AFA?
Through work, as a Community Partner.
What prompted you to join?
As a part of the aerospace and defense community in and around Central Oklahoma and Tinker Air Force Base, we could see the benefits of being a Community Partner. I was not active, however, for a number of years. A certain meeting speaker/topic caught my attention, and I attended—and that was all it took. I immediately made the connection about how this would benefit not only my job, but it was a place where I wanted to invest my volunteer time and energy. Therefore, I also maintain a personal membership, just as a small way of providing additional support to the cause!
What do you enjoy most about your AFA membership?
The sense of community and camaraderie of us all working together with purposeful intent to support programs that I care about: STEM and workforce development, the advocacy aspect, and the ability to support those who are giving us or have given us their service. Some members touch one or two programs, and some work on multiple activities, but every member can (and does) find a good place to share his/her time and talent. Also, I believe that we do a lot of “building.” We build teams and relationships, activities, programs, and are looked upon as a true resource for the military community, here. This is an organization with a huge, giving heart, and it is a joy to watch the ripple effects of our work amongst the various constituencies.
What is your favorite AFA program, event, or project?
That is really hard for me to answer, because I love everything we do (and I have a hard time saying no). I really enjoy the heritage projects like our annual Doolittle Raid anniversary remembrance. And our involvement in meaningful STEM programs like CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers, and STARBASE Oklahoma is also a favorite of mine.
How has AFA helped you?
Outside of the obvious benefits associated with my work it has provided me, personally, with a place for meaningful service. It is where I choose to spend my time—and where I feel rewarded in doing so. As a volunteer, we all want to feel that we can make a difference in some way. I get to see those “returns” of both short-term and longer-range program work and/or investments our chapter has made—every day! It means a lot to me to be a part of that.
How do we build awareness about AFA?
Nothing makes more of a difference than in-person connections with our partners and our local, state, and national leaders. The one-on-one communication is worth the investment in time—it puts a face on what we do. I would also say we need to continue to work hard pushing communication up AND down within our organization. Chapter activities can be excellent illustrations for the big AFA picture. Conversely —it is incumbent on our regional, state, and chapter leaders to bring the message to the local level and keep members well-informed.
AFA began the Emerging Leaders Program in 2013 as an avenue to secure AFA’s future. The purpose of the program is to identify, motivate, develop, and encourage emerging leaders to serve actively in AFA by providing hands-on experience and unique insights into how AFA operates and is governed. Emerging leaders volunteer for a year. With guidance from a mentor, they participate on a national-level council, attend national leader orientations, and serve as National Convention delegates.