Former UAS center commander speaks to AAAA

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A former Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence commander here spoke to the Branch chapter of Army Aviation Association of America Sept. 23 during its general membership meeting.

Col. Christopher Carlile, Corpus Christi Army Depot commander, talked about his time as a CW3/CW4/CW5 Promotion Board member and gave some important tips on maintaining proper information packets to ensure they would be given full consideration for promotion.

"Regardless of your rank, keeping the files up to date is important," Carlile said. "If you are in line for promotion, you want to highlight the things you've done."

Some suggestions Carlile told the meeting attendees to be mindful of included keeping updated pictures and an updated officer record brief, which highlights awards, duty assignments, position and contact information.

"These are all things to keep in mind when submitting a packet," he said. "Another good idea for anyone is to get with your commanding officer and let him or her go over the packet with you. Commanders can help you find anything the review board might question or have issues with."

Carlile added he enjoyed speaking to AAAA because "it's a worth-while organization.

"This is the only organization that is truly focused on Aviation," he said. "The good it does for the community, spouses and children make it a no-brainer to me. I'm a lifetime member and have been in it since 1989."

Bob Carter, AAAA chapter president, agreed about the importance of Army Aviators joining the organization.

"This is the professional organization for Army Aviation," he said. "If you were a doctor, you'd probably be a member of the American Medical Association. Army Aviators should be members of AAAA."

This year, the local AAAA chapter awarded 30 college scholarships to members' children and spouses. AAAA also supports various other programs on post including the Wounded Warrior project, Soldier of the Year and the Instructor of the Year.

"We try to do as much as possible to support the Soldiers," Carter said.