Coastie graduates ALS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A coastie from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco had the honor of being the first non-Air Force student to graduate from Beale's Airman Leadership School May 21. 

Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kickham, an avionic technician on the MH-65C helicopter, said he found his way to Beale's ALS though his chain of command. 

"Our senior chief said there is a spot open for a leadership school at Beale and it was on a volunteer basis," said Petty Officer Kickham. "I had to write an essay on why I should be selected for leadership school, so I wrote about how I would benefit from this course and my aspirations of eventually being a commissioned officer." 

Master Sgt. Elisha Novell, ALS commandant, said the school's leadership was looking for ways to improve ALS and give students a broader perspective how the Air Force works with other services in the joint fight, so an invitation was sent to other service branches, and the Coast Guard answered the call. 

"Other Air Force schools offer slots to our sister services, and we thought it would be a good idea to invite our sister services to ALS to improve class dynamics and give students a different perspective [on how other branches of service operate]," said Sergeant Novell. 

Petty Officer Kickham said he was excited to be selected for ALS and being part of the class was a little overwhelming at first. 

"The workload, homework and tests were a little more than I expected," he said. 

Not only was Petty Officer Kickham required to learn the Air Force culture and lingo, but he was also voted class leader. 

"He was unanimously selected class leader by the staff," said Sergeant Novell. "And he also was a quick study when learning about our Air Force procedures as well." 

Petty Officer Kickham said the students and instructors were very supportive to ensure his success in ALS. 

"Our entire class worked well together, and I got lots of help learning Air Force policy and procedure," he said. "There was a learning curve for both me and the instructors, but they made sure that everything went smoothly and that I was taken care of." 

Petty Officer Kickham also emphasized how the ALS instructors drilled into the students' heads the importance of getting a job done right.  He said the leadership skills he learned in ALS will benefit his fellow coasties at USCG Air Station San Francisco. 

"I am going to bring back to my shop all of the different leadership styles that I've learned here and also what I've learned from working with the Air Force," said Petty Officer Kickham.

Sergeant Novell said the next ALS class will also feature another first for Beale: the first civilian student.