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Reserve Generation rocks out, unites military teens through song

  • Published
  • By by Staff Sgt Valerie Smock and Senior Airman Megan Tomkins
  • 910th Public Affairs
DAHLONEGA, Ga. --  The first chord rang out and the crowd went wild! Even the counselors jumped into the air with excitement as the military rock band, Reserve Generation, rocked out to a crowd of 118 screaming teenagers.

So, why is a military rock band performing for teenagers? Well, because they want to give back to teenagers in military families.

Reserve Generation, a rock band from the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, performed for the Classic Teen Leadership Summit at the Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, Ga., June 22.

The Summit is a venue for teens with a parent in the armed forces, and its purpose is to get teens to come together for a sense of belonging (to the military). It focuses on fostering leadership skills and self confidence, developing an awareness of programs and services available to military dependents.

This is the third year one of the components of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve played for the Teen Summit. The band performed classic and new-age songs, like "According to You" by Orianthi and "Jump" by Van Halen.

"I like the 80s, so 'Don't Stop Believing' was good," said a smiling Carolina Ascherl, daughter of an Air National Guardsman from Iowa. "It was an all around fun show."

The band members were on fire! They were vivacious, full of energy and were pumping up the crowd by yanking audience members onto the stage to bust-a-move.

"One of the biggest benefits of performing for the Teen Summit is the kids can see a different side of the Air Force than what they see with their parents," said a glowing Airman 1st Class Jill Marie Diem, a vocalist with the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. "We have fun and rock out!"

The 118 campers, ranging in ages from 14 to 18 from 43 different states nationwide, rocked out with the band during the performance. When not dancing the night away, the teenagers spent their week-long adventure participating in group activities like high ropes, white-water rafting and survival classes.

"The Teen Summit helps connect the geographically dispersed teenagers for the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard and teaches them about programs and resources available for military teens in their own communities," said Kasey Bozeman, civilian employee with the Air Force Reserve Command Family Member Program and a coordinator for the Teen Summit.

Teen Summits also teach leadership and communication skills through the True Colors classes and General Huge H. Shelton Leadership Challenge.

"Being able to lead and listen to other people are important parts of being a good leader and that helps your group be the best in everything they do," said Fernando Echeona, the son of two Reservists stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

Those skills are the focus of the leadership classes at the Summit. The campers said what they learned has already been useful for dealing with people.

"My favorite part of the camp is meeting so many different people," said Ascherl.

Those people can come together, not only at the Teen Summit but also in the real world, in means of leadership, communication and music.

As the band finished their last song of the night, Teen Summit campers and counselors alike were left with ear-to-ear smiles, which were still ringing from the music. The teens jumped up and down, screaming in hopes the band performs again next year.