JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force’s Personnel Center hosted its second squadron commander course here March 18-22.
After a six-year hiatus, the course was reinstituted in January and redesigned to provide new and sitting squadron commanders a first-hand opportunity to learn about key issues and processes about AFPC’s key programs and processes for talent management and care for Airmen and families.
“I’m most excited that AFPC leadership empowers our course briefers to dynamically adapt, even throughout the course week to focus on current content for squadron commanders that is relevant to their responsibility of ensuring AFPC supports their Airmen and unit missions,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Hawkins, AFPC squadron commander course director.
Throughout the week commanders met with AFPC senior leaders and subject matter experts covering various topics that focused on commander roles for officer and enlisted evaluations, promotions, force development, assignment management, fitness management, civilian human resources, unit deployment readiness, casualty support, the disability evaluation system and exceptional family member programs.
“The course helped us see what AFPC does for us, how they operate and what kind of services they provide,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Rowe, 423rd Mobility Training Squadron commander, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
“Providing an open dialogue for squadron commanders to share their thoughts and for them to feel confident in the AFPC team is crucial not only for the success of this course but for the success of our Air Force,” said Col. Julie Boit, AFPC director of military personnel operations. “Through this course, our experts help equip commanders with AFPC-specific information that they can use as they lead Airmen in operational squadrons across the Air Force.”
While major commands offer squadron commander courses focused on commanders’ functional roles in their respective MAJCOMs, the AFPC course is designed to focus on resources available to help commanders take care of Airmen and their families, regardless of functional specialty or MAJCOM.
“The AFPC squadron commander course is different in that it focuses on how commanders take care of their people and the resources available to them,” said Lt. Col. Redahlia Person, 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
“This course taught us a lot of good skills and gave us some of the background on why (AFPC) processes work the way they do to directly help our Airmen. I would highly encourage any first-year sitting commander to attend this course,” said Rowe. “This is a very valuable course for the Air Force.”
AFPC’s mission involves every Airman, military and civilian, and family members. The AFPC squadron commander course runs throughout the calendar year. Those interested in attending may contact their MAJCOM/A1 team for details on upcoming class dates and registration.
For more information about Air Force personnel programs, visit the AFPC public website.