KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Administrative and personnel professionals from across Keesler Air Force Base gathered for the inaugural 403rd Wing Commander Support Staff Training Conference June 5–6 at the Sablich Center.
The two-day professional development event offered hands-on training, expert briefings, and networking designed to equip both CSS and unit program coordinator personnel with tools and knowledge to meet evolving mission needs—especially with the upcoming personnel and administrative specialists career field merger.
The CSS, composed of personnel (3F0X1) and administration (3F5X1) Airmen, manages a wide range of support functions, including in- and out-processing, leave management, evaluations, awards and decorations, promotions, and commander correspondence. They serve as the direct link between Airmen and leadership, ensuring that policies are followed, records are accurate, and mission-essential paperwork is completed on time.
“This conference is all about empowering our CSS professionals,” said Senior Master Sgt. Rachelle D. Johnson, 403rd Wing administration functional manager and lead organizer. “We’re giving them practical tools, updated guidance, and a chance to connect with peers across the installation. That collaboration is critical as we prepare for the 3F0 (personnel) and 3F5 (administration) merger and align our operations to better support our commanders.”
Johnson, a seasoned CSS leader with more than two decades of experience, said the need for this conference stemmed from seeing younger Airmen enter the field with limited exposure to the many roles each CSS fulfills.
“We noticed that the newer Airmen were struggling with all the different demands from leadership,” Johnson explained. “We needed a space where everyone—regardless of experience level—could get on the same page and receive consistent, meaningful training. The two-hour block during a Unit Training Assembly just wasn’t cutting it anymore.”
Inspired by her participation in a major command-level CSS Inspire Conference, Johnson and her team created a focused, local version.
“We took the best parts and compressed them into a two-day format that worked for our Reserve tempo,” she said. “I love doing this. If I could take everything in my brain and give it to these Airmen, I would. I tell them, ‘I’ve got a year left—ask me anything now.’”
Among the attendees was Airman 1st Class Juana Pinilla, an administration journeyman assigned to the 403rd Maintenance Group, who said the conference gave her a broader understanding of her role and future.
“This was really beneficial because I got to learn more about what my supervisors actually do,” said Pinilla, a recent graduate from Jones College in Ellisville, Mississippi, who is heading to Louisiana State University in the fall to pursue a degree in business and marketing. “It helped me connect the dots between what I see in my CDCs (Career Development Course) and real-life applications. Just seeing how acronyms and systems I read about actually work—it clicked.”
The event also included sessions tailored to both Reserve and active-duty audiences. Participants from the 81st Training Wing and 2nd Air Force joined to collaborate on shared processes, highlighting the value of total force integration.
Chief Master Sgt. Latoya Patterson, 403rd Force Support Squadron senior enlisted leader, praised the event as a critical investment in the Wing’s future.
“Our CSS professionals are the backbone of mission readiness,” said Patterson. “They ensure Airmen are taken care of, orders are accurate, and units are running smoothly. Developing these Airmen now sets the foundation for stronger leaders tomorrow.”
The conference wrapped up with a Chiefs Panel consisting of both active duty and Reserve chiefs. Chief Master Sgt. Renee J. Archambeau, 81st Force Support Squadron SEL, Chief Master Sgt. David A. Phillips, 336th Training Squadron SEL, and Chief Patterson provided advice and mentorship to Airmen and civilians, reinforcing the importance of professional growth and long-term career development.
“This kind of training doesn’t just improve operations—it inspires people to see how far they can go in their Air Force Reserve careers,” Johnson said. “That’s the heart of what we do.”