HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- A 66th Force Support Squadron employee and the installation’s Youth of the Year recently participated in a Department of Defense initiative to provide military-connected teenagers a platform to have their voices heard.
Justin Oliver, 66 FSS youth coordinator, and Victoria Reidling, attended the Joint Services Teen Council held in Washington, D.C., in June.
“The goal is for teens to come together to discuss top issues they see within their programs,” said Oliver. “It provides a platform for their voices to be heard at a much higher level from what we do here in the programs locally.”
The council includes members from youth programs representing all branches of the armed forces to strengthen leadership skills, share concerns, and influence policies impacting military families.
“Justin was hand-selected to represent the Air Force from all of the teen programs across the enterprise,” said Taylor Chamberlain, 66 FSS Child and Youth Services Flight chief.
Chamberlain noted Oliver’s longstanding commitment to youth development has earned him the trust of leaders at higher headquarters.
“Our Youth of the Year, Victoria Reidling, went with Justin to Washington and would not have gotten there without him,” said Chamberlain. “She has the seat at the table during the council meetings, and he's like the coach in the background.”
The council’s focus is to facilitate dialogue with policymakers across the services and highlight issues identified by military teens.
“Going to the Pentagon and talking to influential people, I knew I would be enacting change, but this really set the feeling into stone,” said Reidling,.
During the visit, representatives from each branch spoke to a panel of senior leaders to share insights from their respective youth programs.
“Although the teens have the seat at the table, it's the coaches who are helping them to develop leadership skills, to advocate for themselves, engage with their communities, and learn key life skills,” said Chamberlain.
Oliver noted the experience at the Pentagon offered valuable insight into Hanscom AFB’s programs like the Teen Council and Keystone Club.
The two programs previously shared similar goals, but following the trip, they are now taking on distinct roles: Keystone emphasizing community service, while the Teen Council is focusing more on advocacy and representing the military teen experience.
“As teens graduate or PCS, we encourage them to think about how they can leave things better from when they arrived,” said Oliver. “I see Teen Council as an avenue for advocacy, and Keystone as an avenue for action.”
Through day-to-day programming, Oliver and the Youth Center team aim to show teens that it’s more than just a place to spend time after school.
“There are so many things you can be a part of,” said Oliver. “As military teens, you can influence how the program is run, and there are opportunities you might not see in the moment.”