New course enhances Airmen, NCO skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class George Cloutier
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A new interactive course has arrived at Beale to offers professional training to aspiring Airmen.

The Airmen Professional Enhancement Seminar is a two-day interactive course, aimed at Airmen with 24 to 36 months time-in-service. Through the course, students receive the opportunity to learn and interact with knowledgeable NCOs and other Airmen from various career fields, thus expanding their understanding of the Air Force.

"The intent of the program was to create an environment where the Airmen could share thoughts and ideas as well as enhance their knowledge and skills for the betterment of our Air Force," said Master Sgt. Rosilyn Silas, 9th Reconnaissance Wing career assistance advisor, who plays a key role in the organization of the seminars.

The training students receive through the seminar serves as a transition between what they receive in the First Term Airman Center program and Airman Leadership School.

"It's key from FTAC to ALS that Airmen receive further professional training," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Crum, Beale Honor Guard Flight NCO-In-Charge and previous seminar instructor. "The program re-educates Airmen at a critical time in their career and increases their understanding of the Air Force."

This understanding could come in very useful, as more Airmen are taking on elevated levels of responsibility due to deployment rates.

"As we found out in the first few classes, senior airmen and airmen 1st class are supervising day-to-day operations of other Airmen in their sections," said Staff Sgt. Gavin Christiansen, Airman Professional Enhancement Seminar coordinator. "We also have other people who have never had that experience. Everybody builds on each other."

In a typical classroom environment such learning may not be possible, however with the high degree of interaction in the program, everyone learns from each other.

"We strongly encourage interaction," Sergeant Christiansen said. "It's not just the instructors talking at the Airmen, its instructors talking with the Airmen."

Subjects stretching the entire Air Force, from career broadening to bullet writing, are brought up over the course of the seminar, some by the instructors, but many by the students.

"The Airmen actually have to start interacting, to share their experiences," Sergeant Christiansen said. "We've discussed everything from (Uniform Code of Military Justice) action to unprofessional relationships, and we've found that when we bring these things up in a non-retribution environment, the Airmen help each other out and the NCOs provide guidance."

The key to the success of the program is the fluid structure that allows each class to be different and to meet the needs of those in attendance.

"There are always different speakers," Sergeant Crum said. "The different NCOs add something every time. Feedback is also taken from each class, and used to update the next class. It makes for a constantly improving and evolving course."

By getting involved, asking the right questions and bettering themselves to serve, Airmen who attend the seminar distinguish themselves from their peers, perhaps only by a little, but that little means a lot.

"It does set you apart and it's a great (performance report) bullet," Sergeant Christiansen said. "It's only a little difference, but that difference is a shining star."

The difference is there not only for the Airmen, but also for the NCOs who grow and learn from the program as well.

"One of the key aspects of the program that's very informative for the NCOs who facilitate the seminar is they get to see perspectives from Airmen all across the career fields," Sergeant Crum said. "For NCOs, that is very helpful because they get to see the needs of Airmen outside their immediate scope and they can take that knowledge back to their sections."

By learning from each other, Airmen and NCOs contribute towards the higher goal of bettering the Air Force.

"I think this program benefits the Air Force on many levels," Sergeant Christiansen said. "One of which is that it's creating better supervisors, who will pass this information on to their Airmen. Hopefully that learning will spread out to the entire Air Force."