ACE prepares Airmen for excellence

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  For more than five years, one club has been giving Airmen the opportunity to interact with new people, develop leadership skills and voice their opinions.

Airmen Committed to Excellence is an Air Force-wide organization, whose mission is to build networks, fundraise, volunteer, and host events all for the Airman tier, E-1 through E-4.

"ACE was formed so that Airmen could have a voice," said Airman 1st Class Quintin Echols, 23rd Operations Support Squadron and the club's current president. "With this organization, we are able to channel the interests and concerns of Airmen, which in turn enables dialog with leadership.

"Most of the time, Airmen feel as though they don't have a voice because of their rank," he added. "That is not the case, and ACE is trying to change that way of thinking."

Other than providing Airmen an avenue to voice their opinions, there are also other benefits to becoming a member of the club.

"Some benefits include bullets for an enlisted performance report and developing large networks or contacts base-wide," said Airman Echols. "Airmen can also become well-rounded individuals contributing with their peers and with the people in the community."

In the past, ACE has coordinated a pool party and March Madness, an Airmen morale day. They also volunteered providing alcohol-impaired Airmen rides home through Sober Ride and helping to throw birthday parties for orphans at the Rain Tree Village.

Our goal is to affect Moody and the local area in a positive light, said Airman Echols.

The group recently participated in a volunteer opportunity at the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Fla.

"We helped out the senior citizens in whatever they needed," said Airman 1st Class Eddie Peguero, 23rd Force Support Squadron promotions counselor. "We did things like watering the garden and cleaning out the pressure hoses."

For Airman Peguero, assisting with the elderly at the village was his favorite event so far.

"It felt good giving a helping hand to the senior citizens," he said. "It was hard work, but it was worth it because we were giving back to the community."

In order to host events for Airmen, ACE organizes different fundraisers. This year they hosted a Valentine's Day fundraiser and talent show.

Some of ACE's upcoming events include a bowl-a-thon and 23rd Wing coin fundraiser. 

Meetings are held 3 p.m. every last Tuesday of every month to discuss upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

I want everyone to know ACE is not just an organization to volunteer, said Airman Echols.

"ACE helps in the development of Airmen, from tips for below-the-zone and Community College of the Air Force to building espirit de corps among Airmen," he added. "ACE is also where we can get our issues voiced and no matter if they are on or off-base, we can get answers."

To receive more information about ACE's events, e-mail Airman 1st Class Quintin Echols at quintin.echols@moody.af.mil to be added to the mailing list.