Total Force Airmen complete professional development course

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Approximately every six weeks junior enlisted Airmen complete the first step in their professional development when they graduate from the Airman Leadership School here.

The latest group of Total Force members completed their five-week journey through ALS following a ceremony at the Minuteman Commons March 29 with friends, family and colleagues.

“Airman Leadership School prepares students to lead a new generation of Airmen by learning how to provide feedback to subordinates, write annual enlisted performance reports, prepare letters of counseling when appropriate and more about supervising,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Dillingham, the school’s commandant.

Each graduation ceremony includes a guest speaker who shares his or her own professional journey with students.

“ALS was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Tisdall, 66 FSS superintendent, who was a distinguished graduate when he attended ALS at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix.

Tisdall, who advises FSS leadership on issues affecting enlisted Airmen in the squadron, spoke about leadership.

“Look around your work centers. Look your Airmen in the eyes and listen to your Airmen. Listen to their problems and ideas,” he said. “Care about each Airman’s well-being and their careers. Show empathy and sympathy.”

Following the guest speaker, school officials announced the names of four Airmen who received awards.

For class 19-Delta, the school’s top award, the John L. Levitow Award, went to Senior Airman Joseph Newkam, 64th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. This award goes to the student who achieves the highest overall standing from a combination of academic scores, performance evaluation and leadership qualities. It's the highest honor awarded to an enlisted professional military education student.

The Academic Achievement Award went to Senior Airman Kaylee Morin, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. This award goes to the student who achieves the highest summative scores throughout the class and who displays all characteristics of an effective leader. The recipient also must have fostered teamwork within the training environment.

Senior Airman Ciara Alcorn, 66 FSS, captured the Commandant Award. This award goes to the student who displays all the characteristics of an effective leader. Once all other factors are considered, the ALS commandant renders the final judgment on who receives this award.

Receiving the Dress and Appearance Award was Senior Airman David Lopez, 135th Intelligence Squadron
Warfield Air National Guard Base, Maryland.

Other students who completed the course include:

Senior Airman Colton Barclay, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.

Senior Airman Hailee Brohman, 66th Security Forces Squadron

Senior Airman Alex Fortner, 66th Medical Squadron

Senior Airman Macey Heair, 25th Aerial Port Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Senior Airman Danielle Johnson, 165th Airlift Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard Base

Senior Airman John Reddick, 436th Maintenance Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

Senior Airman David Vargas, 436th Maintenance Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base

Senior Airman Jerry Vasquez, 908th Maintenance Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base

Each graduate earned the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.