ALS graduates complete PME milestone

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Twelve students attending Airman Leadership School here completed the first step in their professional military education following a graduation ceremony Feb. 10 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 Chief Master Sgt. Scott P. Pepper, Sr., superintendent of 66th Security Forces Squadron, who discussed his rules of leadership.

“Live the core values, both on and off duty, in and out of uniform and in all aspects of your life,” he said. “It is all about team; promote the team and its success. When you win but the team loses -- you didn’t win. The team is a direct reflection of your leadership.”

Following Pepper’s speech, instructors recognized three students as top performers.

Senior Airman Michael A. Mejia, assigned to Hanscom’s 66th Comptroller Squadron, 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 Senior Airman David S. Butler, assigned to the 911th Security Forces Squadron, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania. This award is presented to the top 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 Gary M. Dennis, Jr., assigned to the 66th Medical Squadron here, 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:

Petty Officer Third Class Kira L. Booke, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector New York

Senior Airman Marniece L. Clarke, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office-Northeast, Hanscom AFB

Senior Airman Kyle T. Eckert, 104th Maintenance Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Christine Gauthier, 439th Aeromedical Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

Senior Airman Alison M. Green, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB

Senior Airman Johnathan M. Handy, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office-Northeast, Hanscom AFB

Senior Airman Jessica J. Hastings, 269th Combat Communications Squadron, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio

Senior Airman Jessica L. Lindblom, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB

Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicolette McLean, U.S. Coast Guard, Station Jonesport, Maine

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