ALS graduates complete five-week course

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Twelve soon-to-be front-line supervisors recently completed the first step in their professional military education after completing Airman Leadership School here Nov. 18 following a graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons.

According to the ALS staff, by completing the five-week course, the graduates, comprised of 10 senior airmen and two U.S. Coast Guard petty officers, are now equipped with the knowledge to supervise junior members.

The guest speaker at the graduation was Senior Master Sgt. Omar T. Basnight, Sr., a 1999 graduate of ALS while assigned to RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom.

“I remember sitting in the same position that you are today, and at that time I had no idea what I wanted my career aspirations to be,” he said. “I’ve always told myself that the success of my career should not be judged by the rank I’ve acquired. If you are able to look back on your career with satisfaction and few regrets, then you have had a successful career.”

Basnight talked about an event he attended recently where Master Chief Petty Officer Steven W. Cantrell, the Coast Guard’s senior enlisted member, spoke.

“His key points revolved around the four distinguishing qualities of leadership: competence, character, compassion and courage,” Basnight said, who went on to highlight those qualities more in depth.

Basnight explained why each was important to him.

“Front-line supervisors have the greatest impact in our Air Force,” Basnight said. “When I graduated from ALS in 1999, there was not this level of expectation for a senior airman but times have changed. Graduates, your time to lead is now.”

Following his speech, instructors recognized three students as top performers.

Senior Airman Edward D. Dwyer, III, assigned to the 66th Air Base Group, was awarded the John L. Levitow Award. The award is presented 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 Staff Sgt. Hector Hernandez, assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron. This award is presented 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.

Senior Airman Crystal E. Cardin, assigned to the 66th Comptroller Squadron, was named the Commandant Award winner. This award is presented to a student who displays all the characteristics of an effective leader. The ALS commandant is the final determining factor on who receives this award.

Other students that completed the course:

Senior Airman Joshua A. Bussard, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, Mass.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Cadena, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Boston, Mass.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brendan D. Charest, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Field Office, Southwest Harbor, Maine

Senior Airman Brittany E. Dalton, 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Westfield Air National Guard Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Derek R. Hakes, 109th Maintenance Squadron, Stratton Air National Guard Base, New York

Senior Airman Patrick S. Jennings, 911th Security Forces Squadron, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania

Senior Airman Brittany D. Murphy, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.

Senior Airman Andrew M. Pierce, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Jordan C. Swaner, 66th Medical Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

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