Graduated: Airmen step into bigger shoes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Milestones can be defined subjectively.  From kindergarten to college graduation, there are many momentous events in an individual's life that can be celebrated.  For an Airman, graduating Airman Leadership School is a point in their career that prepares them to take care of the Air Force's most valuable resource-- people.

Every year, thousands of senior airmen attend and graduate ALS as a prerequisite for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant. The five-week course, prepares future non-commissioned officers with supervisory, communication and leadership skills.  

"ALS has an in-depth curriculum, which helps us understand the duties of being a supervisor," said Senior Airman Adam Clark, 31st Communications Squadron cyber transport systems journeyman. "We learned how to take care of and understand Airmen, and to keep the mission moving forward."

Clark, a recent graduate, depicts ALS as a rigorous curriculum necessary for every Airman to attend. This gives Airmen an understanding of supervisory skills.  While he spent many days studying, sometimes with little sleep, Clark believes the challenge was worth it.

"I think it's important for everyone to go through ALS," added Clark. "The curriculum ensures everyone has the same supervisory base-level knowledge. Just like in basic training, we all are expected to understand basics; I feel the same with becoming a supervisor, a base knowledge should be known."

The curriculum develops front-line supervisors through blocks of instruction designed to train effective leaders. For Airmen, this is the first professional military education course they encounter within their career.

According to Master Sgt. Jose Negron, 31st Force Support Squadron ALS commandant, ALS is a critical first step to becoming an effective supervisor and where Airmen are provided with foundational knowledge.

"Our mission is to prepare senior airmen to be professional warfighting Airmen who can supervise and lead Air Force work teams," added Negron.

While in ALS, students learn the importance of teamwork. Different personalities from many career fields come together to accomplish the goal of graduating together. With diverse temperaments, classmates are able to share opinions, discussions and perspectives on supervision. Airmen have the opportunity to benefit through guided discussions and teamwork.  They are able to build on each other's experiences which are beneficial when they return to their workcenter.

"There is no way to get through the course on your own," said Clark. "Even if you have the knowledge, you have to figure out a way to work together. You need to have an open mind, work with your classmates and understand that every one of them is working just as hard as you are."

By working together, the newly-certified supervisors develop the necessary skills to further understand their roles to lead, follow and manage. 

"Before, I wasn't very confident that I could supervise," said Clark. "But I feel that ALS prepared me to step into the next rank and level of responsibility.

After 24 days of academics, graduated ALS Airmen celebrate their accomplishments with a commencement ceremony and return to their work centers to apply the foundational knowledge learned.

"ALS required a lot of effort," said Clark.  "My supervisor and wife have put in a lot of work and sacrifice to get me through.  I am looking forward to apply what I learned.  It's a big step because it means someone else's life is in my hands, but I know now, I can help."