YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Just over two dozen Senior Airmen lined the front of the stage in the Enlisted Club on Yokota Air Base, Aug. 24. Like a light switch, their excited grins switched to military bearing as they assumed the position of attention and began to recite the NCO Creed in front of their leadership.
Airman Leadership School’s class 17-F celebrated their graduation from the Professional Military Education program.
Of the 27 graduates, three pinned on staff sergeant at the ceremony and the rest are scheduled to pin on in order of their line numbers.
“Warfighting Airmen. That’s what it’s about,” said Staff Sgt. Randall Ard, 374th Force Support Squadron ALS instructor. “You could say warheads on foreheads. We have to make sure we’re leading and preparing our people to do our mission; whether it be finance, loadmasters, crew chiefs or band.
“We have to have them to lead our Airmen.”
While in the class, students learn basic leadership skills and how to apply them in an environment they may be unfamiliar with.
“Our goal is to prepare Senior Airmen for what’s going to waiting for them on the other side of that stripe,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Pflugh, 374th FSS ALS instructor. “They never know what’s going to be walking in the door in the morning. They’re dealing with different people and people have different lives. It’s up to us to be prepared for anything that could walk through that door. It’s up to us to help them with whatever journey their life is taking them.”
Because each Airman is a unique individual with their own history, life and experience students learn several different leadership styles so they can tailor their supervision to be as effective as possible for that individual Airman.
“You have to deal with things like sexual assault, or childhood experiences you couldn’t even imagine, those are the things you’re going to have to deal with as a supervisor and be prepared for,” Ard said. “How do I react? How do I have the empathy to understand this person but still keep them focused on the mission?”
Proactive leadership tools like enlisted performance reports, team-building techniques and professional expectations for mission priority are also part of the program.
“I felt I was learning more about myself,” said Senior Airman Carl Robinson, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician and ALS graduate. “Beforehand I had a little bit of leadership experience, but going through ALS, I learned what kind of leader I wanted to be. I want to be that inspirational supervisor for my Airmen.”
As the students sealed their promises to stay in touch with selfies, it was clear to others in the room at the night of their graduation that the students had not just developed strong professional and personal bonds with each other, but also with their instructors.
“The job is really cool. Being able to see people grow in such a short period of time – it’s pretty rewarding,” Ard said. “I get really attached to my students. As much as I say I’m teaching, teaching, teaching – I’m learning.”
Crossing the noncommissioned officer threshold is certainly an exciting time in an Airman’s career, but it’s not without responsibility.
Ard simplified it nicely with a challenge:
“How committed are you to making the person to your left and your right better?”