Building future Air Force leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The first class of 28 Ellsworth Airmen successfully completed the five-week Airman Leadership School operating under a revised curriculum Nov. 8.

The Ellsworth ALS course curriculum recently underwent a 100 percent course re-write, ensuring the coverage of topics including "Introduction to Negotiating" and "Resource Stewardship." Instructors implemented the new 196-hour class for the first time, Oct. 4.

"It's very exciting to see how the new curriculum unfolds," Neuharth said. "I get to see how my students take all of these new skills back to their work center and use it. Until now, an Airman would typically get training on these topics later on in their career if they attend the NCO academy."

ALS, an Air Force education program designed to prepare Airmen for positions of greater responsibility, provides Airmen with a variety of leadership skills required of supervisors and reporting officials throughout the AF. Airmen are taught skills to help them lead, follow, and manage - all-the-while helping them gain a broader understanding of the military.

Staff Sgt. Deanna Neuharth, 28th Force Support Squadron ALS instructor, said for more than two years, she has worked to equip Airmen with the tools and skills they need to become effective leaders and supervisors.

"A typical day at ALS begins with reveille, roll call and reciting the Airman's Creed," Neuharth said. "Then, it's off to the flight room to cover anywhere from two to four different lessons in one day. Instruction is very fast paced and is usually accompanied by a lot of homework and reading completed outside of academic hours."

Senior Airman Meghan Scheiman, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron customer support specialist who attended the Oct. 4 to Nov. 8 class, said ALS has given her important stepping stones that are essential for returning to work as an NCO.

"My instructors taught me how to tailor my leadership style to every individual Airman," Scheiman explained. "We all come from different backgrounds and have different views, but each and every one of us is an important asset to the Air Force."

Upon graduating ALS Nov. 8, Senior Airman Rachel Walker, 28th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment technician, said she is eager to return to work.

"We worked great together as a team during these last few weeks," said Walker. "I'm confident that I can handle various situations that come up - from writing feedbacks to enlisted performance reports."

Neuharth added that it was a challenge to teach with a new curriculum and still make classes seem engaging, saying, "It was all worth it in the end. Some of the new information covered during the course is priceless."

"I truly enjoy being on the ALS team," Neuharth noted. "I love everything about being an instructor. I get to train the next generation of NCOs for the greatest Air Force in the world."