Airmen finding their voice

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Communicating with others is always an important skill to have in any field. As Airmen grow to become leaders amongst their peers, public speaking becomes more relevant to their roles. Six months in a speakers club has provided two Airmen with the skills and techniques to carry into their careers as they grow.

Senior Airman Tyler Chandler, Air Force Global Strike Command cybersecurity executive administrator and Airman 1st Class Lluvia Molina-Perez, 2nd Maintenance Squadron total force integration training monitor, joined an international speaking club in February, 2026. The club helped improve their public speaking skills for their professional development.

“In my experience, I have a habit of run-on sentences,” said Chandler. “I want to make sure I get every ounce of detail I can into what I talk about, especially when I’m passionate about it.”

Molina-Perez was invited to join a lunch hosted by the club from her supervisor. When she learned the club works to improve speaking skills through short presentations in front of a group, she was motivated to pursue the program.

“I had worked a non-profit job behind a desk,” said Molina-Perez. “Public speaking was diminishing for me, especially once I got into a different career field where you talk to a lot of people.”

Each meeting has participants speak on topics with constructive feedback, allowing Chandler and Molina-Perez to grow more confident in preparing and delivering speeches. Receiving feedback and guidance from the club has helped them identify areas for improvement and become more effective public speakers in their career fields.

“I see it as a way to perfect my briefs and use my time there to give inspiring speeches to my fellow Airmen,” said Chandler.

Time in the club has allowed Chandler to prepare giving reports to his supervisor and commander more efficiently and effectively. Using what he’s learned, he’s been able to relay important discussion points without hesitation, strengthening communication in his team and for the mission as a whole.

“As of last year, I work as an executive administrator,” said Chandler. “It was an adjustment to get used to the day-to-day executive level, but I am adapting accordingly in the best of my ability by supporting the mission over function mindset that is expected of me.” The club also gives Airmen an opportunity to practice communicating with people from different backgrounds and experience levels. By participating in discussions and listening to other members’ perspectives, Airmen can bring what they’ve learned into their duties. “It was a struggle for me, when you're in a new environment that you feel like you don't belong to and don't even know what to do at all,” said Molina-Perez. “Personally, I feel like I've grown.”

Public speaking ability directly translates into mission readiness, as Airmen utilize what they’ve learned with confidence and communicate clearly under pressure. These are skills Airmen can use when briefing their commanders, or addressing junior enlisted Airmen as an instructor.

“That’s exactly what we see Monlina-Perez building,” said Anderson, Air Force Global Strike Command logistics and engineering senior enlisted leader. “She is practicing the same clarity and confidence she needs in a maintenance debrief, a commander's call, or a briefing to leadership.”

Through the speaking club, Chandler and Molina-Perez have found ways to improve their speaking skills and feel more comfortable communicating with others. The confidence and communication skills they develop can be brought directly into their duties to clearly communicate information and mission priorities that ensures an effective and ready posture.

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