Tyndall Airmen attend professional development seminar, Order of the Sword Published July 20, 2010 By Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Nearly 25 Tyndall Airmen attended a professional development seminar and Order of the Sword ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas recently. The Airmen were selected by their squadrons to represent Tyndall at the seminar which was attended by more than 300 Airmen from Air Education and Training Command bases around the United States. At the seminar's conclusion, Airmen presented Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, with the Order of the Sword. The seminar covered a range of topics, with particular focus on the challenges facing multiple generations in the enlisted workforce across all ranks. "A lot of effort went into the prepartion and execution of the AETC enlisted professional development course. Some of the subjects they covered, such as the generation gaps, are usually covered in upper-level professional military education, however I was glad to see it discussed in this forum," said Chief Master Sgt. Jackie Green, 325th Fighter Wing command chief. "I think each person developed a good sense of awareness of how each age group tends to think and also what drives these different groups to succeed." "The seminar identified similarities and differences that exist between generations, and presented ideas that may help facilitate a more efficient work center," said Senior Airman Phillip Barr, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron. The seminar also showcased enlisted history, presented by Chief Master Sgt. Rick Fanning, director of the United States Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute at Lackland. The presentation included profiles of Airmen from the very beginnings of the U.S. Air Force to the most recent. "My favorite briefing from the seminar was the Air Force History of Enlisted Heroes," said Staff Sgt. Christian Johnson, 325th Communications Squadron. "I enjoy hearing about the enlisted members that set the way for the enlisted force of today." "I believe that the enlisted history block tied a lot of where we were as an enlisted force and what contributions we have made to Air Power over the years," added Chief Green. Following the seminar, Airmen changed into their mess dress and semi-formal uniforms to attend an Order of the Sword ceremony. The enlisted Airmen of AETC presented General Lorenz a sword in honor of his work and support of the enlisted ranks throughout his tenure as commander. "I felt honored to be in attendance at the Order of the Sword," Sergeant Johnson said. "It was an amazing experience and I talked about it with the six Airmen in my office. It was a great experience and I promoted attending if they ever had the chance to go to such an historic event." The original order of the sword was patterned after two orders of chivalry founded during the Middle Ages in Europe: the (British) Royal Order of the Sword and the Swedish Military Order of the Sword, still in existence today. In 1522, King Gustavus I of Sweden ordered the noblemen commissioned by him to appoint officers to serve him. They were the accountants, builders, craftsmen, teachers, scribes, and other leaders responsible for conducting the ordinary daily affairs of the kingdom. These people became known as the noncommissioned officers, or NCOs. Through the ages, noncommissioned officers have honored their leaders and pledged loyalty to them by ceremoniously presenting them with a sword. The sword, a symbol of truth, justice, and power rightfully used, served as a token for all to see and know that here was a leader amongst leaders and a man amongst men. "It was indeed an honor to be a part of an event as historically rich and revered as the Order of the Sword ceremony," Airman Barr said.