Members of Team McChord gathered for the third Lunch and Leadership Lecture, hosted by the 62nd Airlift Wing commander's action group Feb. 3 at the McChord Chapel Support Center, McChord Field.

The series of lectures are open to all Team McChord personnel interested in leadership related topics.

This month's Lunch and Leadership Lecture was called "Transitioning from Service" and focused on the importance of starting early and connecting with people.

Before the guest speaker was introduced, Col. Leonard Kosinski, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, shared a few words about the event.

"What we have started here with this Lunch and Leadership Lecture series is great," said Kosinski. "What we are trying to highlight is professional development. You can never do enough professional development, so we are fortunate enough to have great leaders in our community that are able to come here and share their stories and the knowledge that they have."

The event speaker was Anne Sprute, founder and CEO of Rally Point Six and 62nd AW honorary commander.

Sprute shared her experiences in the military and spoke on the importance of starting your transition out of the service sooner than later.

"I am not here to make anyone smarter," said Sprute. "But what I am hoping for is that I'll make you more informed, so that the day you become Mr. or Mrs., that you're more informed and can leave the military better prepared for the civilian life."

Sprute spoke to airmen about her military career as a helicopter pilot in the Army, transitioning from being a pilot to working at Microsoft, and to starting Rally Point Six.

Sprute said it was not an easy transition for her from military to civilian life because she was not properly informed and prepared.

"It was hard for me in the beginning and starting life beyond the Army," said Sprute. "I didn't want the same thing that happened to me to happen to anybody else, which is why I started RP6."

The mission of Rally Point Six is to guide servicemembers, veterans and their families to their next objective.

"I am here today so that you can be informed when you are ready to get out," said Sprute. "Create your plan early and go big. You can do or be anything you want to be; you just got to have the vision."

Occurring the first Friday of every month, Lunch and Leadership Lectures provide an informal environment for airmen to gain leadership advice during lunch. Airmen are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and eat during the sessions.

At the end of the event, Kosinski thanked everyone for coming out and thanked Sprute for sharing time, experience and knowledge to the men and women of Team McChord.

"This was a great topic to discuss, since JBLM has one of the best transition programs," said Kosinski. "We not only need to take care of our airmen while they serve, but also take care of them as citizens after their service. We need that good transition from the military to civilian life, and RP6 does an outstanding job of helping and offering servicemembers help."

To find out more information about future events, call the commander's action group at: 253.982.7832.