Another successful year for the CGO council Published March 29, 2007 By 1st Lt. Jennifer Schoffstall Company Grade Officer Council FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Company grade officers here have a venue available to them to help with their development as junior Air Force officers. That venue, the Company Grade Officer Council, provides an organization that promotes professional development, encourages base and local community service, and establishes an environment to enhance social camaraderie among CGOs. The council, which consists of approximately 230 CGOs from Team Fairchild, exists to develop officers in the ranks of second lieutenant through captain as future leaders of the Air Force, represent their interests and needs, and to solve problems that face CGOs. The first goal that the CGOC board members set out to achieve was increasing professional development opportunities for CGOs as well as making them fun and worthwhile. The council has held many events this past year. These are some of the highlights: Every quarter a different group sponsors a luncheon and provides food. In October 2006, the CGOC with support from the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron held the first-ever professional development luncheon with Col. Mark Melville, 92nd Operations Group commander, as the guest speaker. In January, the 92nd Mission Support Group hosted the luncheon with guest speaker Col. Van Fuller, 92nd MSG commander. The next professional development luncheon will be Thursday with Col. Robert Egbert, 92nd Maintenance Group commander. The luncheon will be held at Hangar 2050 and will begin at 11:15 a.m. The 92nd Medical Group plans to host a luncheon in May. "When these commanders talk to a group, they bring a big-picture perspective. It's an opportunity to see what is important to our leadership," said 1st Lt. Jamila Branch. "These leaders have a lot of experience. It's good for young officers to hear about and get insight into those experiences." Last month, the CGOC sponsored a book grant for junior enlisted members at Fairchild. Airman 1st Class Jacob Sevy, 22nd Training Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Ashley Waller, 92nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron, were selected as this year's winners due to their academic success and future academic and professional goals. The CGOC sponsored the first crud tournament of the year at Club Fairchild March 16. Four teams competed for the coveted trophy, and the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron led by Lt. Col. Gregory "Couch" Ottoman won the tournament by narrowly defeating the 92nd Communications Squadron led by Maj. Pamela Woolley. The next crud tournament is scheduled for the end of May. Other events that the CGOC has participated in include volunteering at the Ana Ogden House in downtown Spokane, hosting Air Force ROTC units during their annual base visits and emceeing at several wing events such as the Air Force Ball and the Annual Awards Ceremony. "As part of the Santas in Blue program, eight junior officers from Fairchild went out to the Ana Ogden House to make ornaments, and help decorate the Christmas tree with the kids," said Lieutenant Branch. "This program offers an opportunity for us to give back to the community. Simple things like decorating a tree and spending time with the kids can really make their day." Elections for new board officers will be held in June. For more information about CGOC events, contact 1st Lt. Jamila Branch at 247-2005.