PEA elects new officers; 2010 emphasis on mentorship, self-improvement

  • Published
  • By Capt. Geoff Buteau
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  When the new leadership of the Hanscom Patriot Enlisted Association assume their new roles Jan. 1, it's with the goals of self-improvement, a thriving mentorship program, and a lineup of enjoyable events in mind that will drive them through the year.

In November, the Hanscom PEA -- an organization for Airmen through technical sergeants that promotes overall Airman welfare, provides opportunities for service projects and professional development, and hosts events for Airmen to build camaraderie -- elected five new Airmen to fill leadership positions. The new leaders never want their members to say, "If only I knew then what I know now."

Staff Sgt. Patrick Raass, new president and part of the 350th Electronic Systems Wing Knowledge Operations Management section, will be taking that theme into the new year. "We want our members to take the lessons from our meetings and use them to improve," he said.

Creating an atmosphere where Airmen can invest in their careers by networking -- specifically by linking the Airmen to the sergeants to help the younger members prepare for challenges they'll face as military leaders down the road -- is one way the new president is hoping to add value to each meeting, he said.

It's through this mentorship Sergeant Raass believes members can set themselves up for successful careers.

Airman 1st Class Justin Peattie, the new vice president and a member of the 66th Force Support Squadron, echoed Sergeant Raass' intentions. "Hanscom's Airmen will never get this time back and should maximize their all their opportunities to develop to their fullest potential."

Outgoing president, Staff Sgt. Tim Galloway, a civil law paralegal with the Electronic Systems Center Judge Advocate office, characterizes his tenure as president as one where the PEA made efforts to reach out to Airmen.

Through a combination of briefing first-term Airmen on the importance of joining organizations, working with senior leadership to encourage Airmen to attend PEA meetings and arranging dormitory events, Sergeant Galloway not only hopes this outreach will continue into the new year, but wants the wave of inspiration created by this year's elections to generate more volunteers, events and opportunities for all members.

Sergeant Raass summarized his goals for the junior and more senior members of the PEA. "I want our younger Airmen to leave our meetings with the passion to make themselves better," he said, "and I want our noncommissioned officers to take on the responsibility of helping them get there through continued mentorship.

"But above all, we agree that we need to infuse a ton of fun into the PEA and have our members enjoy the time we spend with each other."