Photo By Staff Sgt. Jared Duhon | Senior Master Sgt. Donald Clayborn, 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron Deployment and...... read more read more
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The first ever Dover AFB Lean In Circle forum took place March 7, 2017, at the 3d Airlift Squadron auditorium. It featured a diverse panel including a single woman, a single mother, a military woman geographically separated from her military husband, a heterosexual married military couple, and a homosexual military man with his husband.
The goal of the program is to provide support, comradery and mentorship by promoting healthy discussions and relationships among current and future Air Force leaders, while inspiring all to achieve their ambitions and maximize their talents.
“As of September 2016, there are approximately 110 Lean In Circles across the Department of Defense and various branches of the military, with approximately 2,000 members,” said Capt. Daria Awusah, Area Defense Counsel. “As of today, Dover Air Force Base is happy to join those numbers.”
Dover AFB’s Lean In Circle is an unofficial activity that provides peer-to-peer mentorship opportunities, aimed at promoting diversified and effective leadership within the military culture. Participation in the Lean In Circle is free and open to all members of Team Dover, regardless of branch, age, rank, gender or military status.
Dover AFB’s Lean In Circle is organized by Awusah; Capt. Jasmine Paul, 436th Comptroller Squadron Financial Services Flight commander; 1st Lt. Laura Kelly, 436th Aerial Port Squadron air freight officer in charge; Senior Master Sgt. Donald Clayborn, 436th Logistic Readiness Squadron Deployment and Distribution Flight superintendent; and Staff Sgt. Jessica Casto, 436th Airlift Wing command chief executive assistant.
The origins of Lean In Circles started with Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg, when she started small peer groups who meet regularly to learn and grow together in an effort to empower all to achieve their ambitions. On 21 September 2015, the Department of Defense partnered with www.LeanIn.org to launch Lean In Circles throughout the DoD. Advertising for the program promotes that these circles have a proven record of empowering women throughout the ranks, while also giving men a way to lean in and support their colleagues and improve themselves.
Clayborn emceed this first forum.
“We really appreciate that you all came out here today,” he said. “I am super excited because this is a forum where we can really talk candidly and frankly.”
Representing the homosexual military man, Col. Doug Hall, 436th Operations Group commander, gave words of hope and encouragement for future Airmen.
“The first 19 years of my Air Force career, I couldn’t look up the organizational chart and see someone like me,” he said. “Hopefully there is an Airman or two out there that can now look up an organizational chart and go, wow, I can be part of this Air Force and do well, and be happy.”
Dover AFB’s Lean In Circle’s works through professional seminars, forums, workshops and socials. It will meet to address issues, policies, practices and other concerns that may inhibit career progression in the military. Lean In Circles will enable both female and male service members and DoD civilians to come together to share experiences and advice on overcoming challenges in the military and the Department, and create a safe and confidential place to discuss gender issues. The fundamentals of the Lean In Circle are confidentiality, communication and commitment.
“Everyone keeps talking about the new military family,” said Hall. “I like to think of it as the real military family. It’s all about who you love and getting to celebrate that; living the life and getting to serve our county.”
The Dover AFB Lean In Circle will meet monthly in various locations around the base. The next event will take place on April. The specific time and location will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2017 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 226931 |
| Location: | DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DE, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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