If there's ever a management situation that 1st Lt. Kristina Sawtelle has never experienced, she knows she always has a large support network of peers whom she can bounce possible solutions off.

Sawtelle, a logistics officer with the 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron at McChord Field, is the president of the McChord Company Grade Officers' Council.

"It's huge knowing you have a fellow CGO to talk to when situations come up," said Sawtelle, a Kent native who PCSed to McChord from Pope Air Force Base, N.C. "CGOs are like your family within the military."

The CGOC - which is made up of lieutenants and captains - exists to aid in CGOs' professional development, expand their social network and perform community service both on and off base.

Sawtelle took over as the council's president in November. While at Pope, the lieutenant got the chance to attend a CGOC conference in Virginia and meet other officers from all across the world.

"The networking piece I gained from the conference is a lifesaver at times for me," said Sawtelle, a University of North Dakota graduate.

Besides providing the chance to meet other CGOs and share career advice, the council also reaches out to the community. A group of members recently went to Carter Lake Elementary School and made Valentine's Day cards with second- and third-grade students. The officers then handed out the cards to veterans Monday at the American Lake veterans' nursing home.

"The community at any base is your lifeline," Sawtelle said.

The CGOC plans two community services events per month, which can include anything from teaming up with United Service Organization volunteers to welcome home troops at Sea-Tac Airport to participating on a home build with a local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

After the council experienced a period of dormancy lately at McChord, Sawtelle and the other 10 to 15 active members are hoping to reinvigorate it.

"The majority of CGOs are fresh out of college when they get to their first base," she said. "The fact that I'm close to home is rare. It can be very lonely for others."

Those who would like to know more about the CGOC and meet some members can join the group for lunch at 11:30 a.m. every third Tuesday of the month for the at the McChord Clubs and Community Center.