Diversity of experience fosters learning for ALS class Published Nov. 10, 2018 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of the Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard attending Airman Leadership School completed the first step in their professional development following a graduation ceremony here Nov. 9. The five-week course provides soon-to-be supervisors the knowledge to provide feedback to subordinates, write enlisted performance reports, prepare letters of counseling and more. “I learned a lot about myself through this experience at Airman Leadership School,” said Senior Airman Kenneth McGuire, a financial operations technician with the 66th Comptroller Squadron. “I had some blind spots in my leadership style that I was able to identify, and that will certainly make me a more effective leader in the future.” The class was comprised of five active duty Airmen, two members of the Air National Guard and three from the Air Force Reserves. The class also included two members of the U.S. Coast Guard. “Not only have I learned a lot about the Air Force, but I learned a lot about leadership,” said Petty Officer Third Class Nickolas Cortez, Marine Safety Detachment, U.S. Coast Guard. “This is my first joint operations training with another service and it has been incredibly helpful in my development as a leader in the Coast Guard.” McGuire also noted that the Coast Guard adds a great mix to the class to get different cultures and different core values. “We all worked very well together to accomplish our objectives,” said McGuire. The school runs seven iterations each year and typically includes a mix of Total Force Airmen and members of the Coast Guard throughout the Northeast. During the latest graduation ceremony attended by senior leaders, colleagues and family members, school officials announced the names of four students who received awards. The school’s top award, the John L. Levitow Award, went to McGuire. This 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 winner was Senior Airman Tyler Skiff, 42nd Aerial Port Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts. 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. Cortez received the Commandant Award. 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 Dyllan Jones-Leonard, a 439th Security Forces Squadron member at Westover Air Reserve Base, received the Dress and Appearance Award during the graduation ceremony. Other students who completed the course include: Senior Airman Jude Baidoo, 66th Medical Squadron Petty Office Third Class Peter Bentum, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston Senior Airman Joshua Cintron, 103rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Connecticut Senior Airman Leilanie Kenley, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Detachment 7 Senior Airman Hayden Lessor, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Senior Airman Christopher Melo, 66th Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman David Peralta, 64th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire Senior Airman Kaleb Powell, 436th Maintenance Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base Each graduate earned the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.