Airman Leadership School involves more than classes

Published Dec. 2, 2009
By Senior Airman Kimberly Moore
Keesler Public Affairs

KEESLER AFB, MS -- Like everyone I know, I absolutely dreaded the idea of having to attend Airman Leadership School. Everyone is far too busy in their own lives to devote six weeks to such an unnecessary course, right?

When I began this article I was only planning to do a quick feature on what ALS is and why we have to go. But soon after my initial interview, I was thrilled to learn I was a staff sergeant select and as such, I was quickly enrolled into the next ALS class. Thrill soon turned to frustration and the article was put on hold while I prepared for class.

I remember one of the first days in class an instructor asked who wanted to be there ... no one raised his or her hand. I took comfort in knowing I wasn't the only one who felt this way, but it made me wonder why we all do.

I think it's the fear of the unknown, so let me help quash some of those fears and uncertainties that lie in the ever-dreaded ALS.

Airman Leadership School is 24 academic days long (192 curriculum hours) and is the first level of professional military education. Graduates earn 10 college credits and are allowed to supervise and rate subordinates and become a noncommissioned officer.
The mission of PME is to provide the continuum of education necessary to inspire and develop enlisted leaders with the moral framework of integrity, service and excellence, while strengthening their commitment to the profession of arms by integrating sound leadership, communication skills and military studies, principles and concepts. Its guiding philosophy is to develop Airmen with a warrior ethos and a passion for leading in the cause of freedom.

Its objectives are to provide the nation with military personnel skilled in the employment of aerospace power in the conduct of war and small scale contingencies; to provide Air Force personnel with skills and knowledge to make sound decisions in progressively more demanding leadership positions within the national security environment; and to develop strategic thinkers and war fighters.

Attending ALS is not optional, and students include senior airmen with 48 months time in service or those with a promotion line number for staff sergeant. They must also have six months minimum retainability from the projected graduation date.

"It's a busy and challenging schedule," said Senior Master Sgt. Vanessa Polk, ALS commandant. She advises supervisors that ALS students are in temporary duty status, so all work duties must be wrapped up before they begin class.

"In addition to the curriculum, students participate in community projects, physical training and after-hour study groups, so it's also critical that loved ones are supportive during ALS," Sergeant Polk emphasized.

The thought of this is rather intimidating, but you'll be amazed at what you're capable of accomplishing through the support of your classmates and the ALS staff (and the lesson principles, of course).

In the classroom, you can expect guided discussions from the previous night's reading assignment. You'll learn techniques for counseling Airmen, how to write enlisted performance reports and memorandums, how to march a flight through drill and, yes, you'll have to do speeches.

I'll admit it, this was my greatest fear. I'm a writer, not a speaker, and I honestly had a panic attack before my first speech and then cried in front of the whole class. I know, embarrassing. But, thankfully, I had a great instructor who pushed me to work through the fear and didn't let me give up.

By our third and final speech, I was not nearly as nervous and I survived it. Don't get me wrong -- I'm by no means a confident public speaker now, but I know if I have to do it, I can.

"We can't make students experts in every aspect of leadership through a six-week course," Sergeant Polk stressed. "What we do is give them tools to establish a foundation in hopes that their supervisors will continue to develop and fine-tune them when they return to their work centers."

I'm proud to say that every one of the 30 students in Keesler ALS Class 09-7 graduated and, surprisingly, I already miss class. I hope that future students take comfort in knowing that their fears aren't uncommon and hopefully knowing more of what to expect will put some of those fears at ease.

Enjoy class, enjoy your classmates and take pride in becoming an effective front-line supervisor.