Cadets get on-the-job view of 'real Air Force'

Published July 16, 2008
By Susan Griggs
Keesler News

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- This summer, Keesler is involved in preparing Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets to be Air Force officers through an immersion-based approach called Operation Air Force.

"This is a learning-and-working program, not a base tour program," emphasized Capt. Mona Nelson, 81st Medical Operations Squadron medical genetics flight commander, who's directing the effort at Keesler.

The base was prepared to host up to 40 cadets in each of three sessions. The first group was here June 1-21, the second group arrived June 22 and departed Saturday, and the third group arrived Sunday and remains until Aug. 2. Cadets, who are expected to work a 40-hour week, are lodged on base and eat in the dining facilities.

The program has four courses, each with a different focus. The three offered this summer at Keesler are:

"NonCom" -- for rising academy and ROTC sophomores, mentored by senior noncommissioned officers.

Third Lieutenant -- for junior academy cadets

Brevet Lieutenant -- for senior academy cadets

The fourth course, brevet lieutenant deployed, is for handpicked academy first-class cadets. The course familiarizes cadets with air expeditionary force concepts by deployment to a combatant command's area of responsibility.

The general goal of NonCom is to encourage an appreciation of the enlisted force by future officers.

"For most cadets, this is their first exposure to active-duty Air Force," Captain Nelson explained.

Cadet 3rd Class Erin Flanigan, a rising sophomore at the academy, spent three weeks at Keesler Medical Center under the direction of Master Sgt. John Coleman, emergency services flight chief.

"She's a very sharp cadet with a sincere desire to learn," noted Sergeant Coleman, who served as director of basic training at the academy before he arrived at Keesler 18 months ago. "I think this program is particularly valuable in showing the enlisted perspective."

"This is a great opportunity for me," said Cadet Flanigan, who hopes to pursue a career in medicine. "Sergeant Coleman has demonstrated what leadership in the workplace means. The interaction between officers and enlisted members at the medical center is amazing -- they work closely and depend on each other. I've been unaware of such close collaboration at the academy."

Mentoring by senior NCOs includes discussing the role of enlisted personnel, what enlisted people expect of officers and how to treat colleagues in the workplace. After a couple days of base tours, cadets are assigned to a single squadron for the duration of the course and are put to work.

Cadets involved in the Third Lieutenant course are working toward an understanding of operational and support roles to accomplish a wing's mission.

"Career fields haven't been assigned for these cadets yet, but decisions will be coming soon," Captain Nelson said. "The learning experience is the key, and if possible, a specific project is assigned. Mentors are company grade officers who provide a broad look at officership and leadership. Squadron leadership provides snapshots of CGOs and senior NCOs in each type of unit."

Brevet Lieutenant cadets get firsthand experience performing CGO duties in their assigned career field. Training is specific to Air Force Specialty Codes to the maximum extent possible, and specific projects are preferred.

"We treat them as CGOs and keep them busy -- they're sharp troops," Captain Nelson commented. "They receive mentoring from two field grade officers in their career field, but a senior captain can fill the mentor role as well."

Captain Nelson credits the active participation of squadrons and tenant units across the base for the success of this summer's program.

"This collaboration created numerous opportunities for exposure to the real world of the armed forces working environment," she pointed out. "It's been quite an experience watching Keesler come together and make Operation Air Force happen."