ALS graduates equipped to lead subordinates

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Twelve graduates of Airman Leadership School here completed the first step in their professional military education following a graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons Nov. 17.

By completing the five-week course, the 12 graduates are now qualified to supervise junior enlisted members in their respective organizations, according to school officials.

ALS class 18-A is comprised of six active duty Airmen, as well as two from the Air National Guard, two from the Air Force Reserve and two from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes, Jr., Hanscom’s command chief, who was a distinguished graduate when he attended ALS at Edwards Air Force Base in California, in 1994, was the guest speaker.

The chief met with the soon-to-be frontline supervisors before they graduated to learn more about them.

“To the leaders of these students, I encourage you to listen to these superstars,” Hayes said. “They have something significant to say. I am impressed with the thoughtfulness of your next line of supervisors that are graduating tonight.”

He closed by challenging the graduates to work hard throughout their careers in the military.

“Let’s give an Olympic-sized effort on our military journey and see what our team can do,” Hayes said. “Keep overcoming pressures from perceptions and the abundance of negativity. Let’s make miracles happen, together.”

Following his speech, school officials recognized the top performing students from the class.

Senior Airman Amy T. Dziewaltowski, a member of the 103rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Connecticut, won the John L. Levitow Award. The award goes to the student who achieves the highest overall standing from a combination of academic scores, performance evaluation and leadership qualities. It's the highest honor awarded to an enlisted PME student.

The Academic Achievement Award recipient was Senior Airman Alfredo E. Maldonado, from 66th Force Support Squadron here. This award goes to the student who achieves the highest summative scores throughout the class and who displays all characteristics of an effective leader. They also must have fostered teamwork within the training environment.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin P. Mathieu, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, is the Commandant Award recipient. This award goes to the student who displays all the characteristics of an effective leader. Once all other factors are considered, the ALS commandant renders the final judgment on who receives this award.

Senior Airman Mary E. McDonald, 439th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., received the Dress and Appearance Award during the ceremony.

Other students that completed the course include:

Senior Airman Skylar T. Burdelas, Battle Management Directorate, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas C. Cauley, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Dustyn J. Dilbeck, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.

Senior Airman Ariel A. Owens, 445th Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Senior Airman Joseph A. Peters, 109th Communications Flight, Stratton Air National Guard Base, New York

Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor M. Sestito, U.S. Coast Guard Base Cape Cod, Mass.

Senior Airman Robert J. Stevens, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Chad A. Stricker, 66th Medical Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Each graduate earned the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.