MacDill Citizen Airman appointed to Reserve Advisory Council Published July 7, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Adam C. Borgman 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Every two-years, the Air Force Association appoints a small group of officers and enlisted Air Force reservists to serve on a council which advocates on behalf of all servicemembers assigned to Air Force Reserve Command. Tech. Sgt. William M. Mitchell, Aerospace Maintenance Craftsman, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was recently appointed to the Reserve Advisory Council to represent Citizen Airmen during meetings with Air Force leadership and elected officials in Washington D.C. During his term, Mitchell will meet regularly with Air Force senior leadership to identify and prioritize quality of life and quality of service issues, impacting reservists which are driven by legislative action. Mitchell and his fellow council members are also charged with soliciting input from reservists that they will then take to the Pentagon and Capitol Hill for the council meetings, advocating on behalf of the command. “Advocacy is something that I am very passionate about,” said Mitchell. “In my experience, everyone has opinions, ideas and concerns, but the group of people who can proficiently articulate those feelings in a manner that effects change, is relatively small.” The Advisory Council’s role is to not only serve as a conduit for information flowing up the chain of command, but they also serve to make recommendations to reserve leadership on policy issues impacting the force. “It is equally important that there exists a group, aside from the men and women in command, who can advocate on behalf of their peers,” explained Mitchell. “The Reserve Council is so important because they advocate for Airmen.” Selection to participate on the council required an extensive interview process, beginning with an endorsement from the member’s wing commander. “Sergeant Mitchell has accomplished outstanding achievements both within the 927th Air Refueling Wing and in our local community,” Col. Randy Bright, 927 ARW commander. “He has provided tremendous support to his fellow reserve members here in Tampa, I am sure he would continue that work as a member of the Reserve Council.”