Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 10-9-15

Desert Wings Commentary
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ALS: Rediscovering the profession of arms
by Senior Airman Katrina M. Brisbin
Andersen AFB, Guam
When thinking about Airman Leadership
School, what thoughts come to mind?
Many Airmen may think of professional
military education as boring, a box to check,
or a waste of time.
For me, ALS was none of these things.
$/6LVD¿YHZHHNFRXUVHWKDWSUHSDUHV of an NCO and leader, while also learning
senior airmen, new staff sergeants, and sister
VHUYLFHUDQNHTXLYDOHQWVIRURI¿FLDOVXSHUYL- Studying leadership traits in our diverse
sory and rating duties. Attending this leader-
ship school in residence is a requirement for
all Airmen either upon successfully testing
for promotion or upon reaching 48 months
time-in-service.
As a mandated stepping stone, to the un-
LQLWLDWHGWKHWUDLQLQJPD\FRPHDORQJDVMXVW of the military profession of arms is to be
another requirement on the way to a long-
awaited promotion. For me, it was much
more than that.
In all honesty, I was apprehensive as I took
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I know my perspective would drastically
FKDQJHLQMXVWDIHZVKRUWZHHNV shocked to realize I still didn’t fully grasp
7KH¿UVWIHZGD\VZHUHDEOXU:HVSHQW what this meant. As a public affairs Airman,
WKHPDMRULW\RIRXUWLPHOHDUQLQJWKHUXOHV I took it upon myself to know as much as I
getting a feel for the curriculum and sizing
up our classmates. After everything was laid
out by the commandant and instructors, it
was game on.
The 192-hour course, spread across 24
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curriculum areas that support the course ob-
MHFWLYHDQGIRFXVRQGHYHORSLQJOHDGHUVKLS is the basic understanding that each member
abilities, building effective communication,
and teaching the fundamentals of the pro-
fession of arms. Classes are also required to
positively contribute to their local commu-
nity as well as create a legacy piece to enrich
October 9, 2015
facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
the schoolhouse for future students. Guam Airman
The weeks quickly were consumed with Leadership
School Class
academic work. We participated in group 15-F students
discussions, wrote papers, took written tests, participate in
stumbled through public speaking, braved ty- a drill exercise
SKRRQUDLQVGXULQJRXUFRPPXQLW\SURMHFW Aug. 18, 2015,
and, more importantly, bonded as service at Andersen Air
members and future NCOs. Force Base,
Guam.
I learned quite a bit about what is expected
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Katrina M. Brisbin
more about how to meet those expectations.
harder to stay positive and for some, see how Having our Navy brothers and sister in the
group of Airmen and Sailors helped broaden RXUGDLO\HIIRUWVIXHOWKH¿JKW class also provided a comforting reality. This
my perspective when it came to the profes- reality is that although we are different ser-
sion of arms — something I think is vital for 7KHWK:LQJ¶VPLVVLRQLVWRSURYLGHWKH vices, we all are NCOs, we all have troops in
today’s leaders to understand and practice. some form or fashion, and we are all leaders.
president sovereign options to decisively em-
According to our curriculum, to be part 7KH MRLQW OHDGHUVKLS VFKRRO H[SHULHQFH
ploy airpower across the entire spectrum of was neither boring nor a waste of time. Be-
a skilled practitioner of or professional in HQJDJHPHQW,WPD\EHGLI¿FXOWWRGLVFHUQ cause of our productive class dynamic and
the art of warfare. The profession of arms our skilled teaching staff, I was able to walk
is a unique profession, whose customer base every individual’s contribution to this daunt- away with a greater understanding of what
spans the sum of our great nation. it takes to be a supervisor in today’s service
ing task. and rediscovered my place in the profession
After reading the paragraph again, I was $VUHÀHFWHGLQWKHYDULRXVRFFXSDWLRQDO of arms.
badges in our classroom, we all participate in Each and every person plays a vital role in
WKHVDPH¿JKW:LWKRXWIRUFHVXSSRUWVTXDG- our military and has an impact on our mis-
can about the Air Force mission, our polices VLRQDQGDVDSKRWRMRXUQDOLVW,IHHOEOHVVHG
and tenets, so I could better share Airmen’s ron Airmen, for instance, the dining facility WREHLQWKHFDUHHU¿HOGWKDWDOORZVPHD¿UVW-
stories with the rest of the world. However, hand look at the Air Force’s missions. After
the true meaning of the profession of arms and gym wouldn’t open. There would be no ALS, I can’t wait to share how Airmen, Sail-
eluded me. or, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen’s
one to provide vital combat and community stories in a way that highlights their unique
In layman’s terms, the profession of arms contribution to the security of our nation.
support by delivering superior morale, wel-
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:LWKWKLVGH¿QLWLRQLW¶VDIDLUO\HDV\FRQFHSW fare, recreation, manpower and personnel
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to communicate.
we would have to manage our own pay and
So much is changing these days. With a
new enlisted performance report system, accounts while continuing our daily tasks.
forced distribution, and heavy operations
tempo, it’s hard to focus at times. It’s even The list of services goes on and in short, it
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to cope with the additional workload.
Commander’s
Action Line
email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil
The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.
The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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DUHPHG\WRDSUREOHPVKRXOG¿UVWIROORZWKHFKDLQ
RIFRPPDQGDQGWDNHXSWKHPDWWHUZLWKWKHRI¿FHRI
SULPDU\UHVSRQVLELOLW\VXSHUYLVRUV¿UVWVHUJHDQWVRU
commanders.
Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
for communication.