Future NCOs complete PME milestone Published April 1, 2017 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 March 31 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. Michael A. Kovach, superintendent of the 319th Recruiting Squadron, who attended ALS at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, in 1999. “The biggest challenge I faced while attending Airman Leadership School was public speaking,” Kovach said. “Ironically enough, that experience helped me increase my confidence in public speaking and inspired me to become an Air Force Recruiter in 2000.” During his speech, he highlighted the need for graduates to employ their new leadership skills as supervisors. The chief also discussed the acronym BEST, which he said has helped him in his career. He explained the acronym as: Be yourself, Exceed standards, Solve problems and Take care of subordinates and their families. “If you stay focused on that, you will not only maximize your potential for the Air Force and Coast Guard, but you will also bring out the BEST in the warriors you lead,” he said. Following Kovach’s speech, instructors recognized three students as top performers. Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew S. Wahlund, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston, 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 Samantha N. Keller, assigned to the 66th Medical Squadron here. 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 Wilyaveh K. Cruz-Santiago, assigned to the 66th Security Forces 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: Senior Airman Thomas J. Chalmers, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Alec B. Cope, 66th Force Support Squadron, Hanscom AFB, who won the Dress and Appearance Award. Senior Airman Preston J. Hallett, 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barnes ANGB, Mass. Senior Airman Kevin J. Miller, 76th Aerial Port Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio Senior Airman Kelly E. Pletz, 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB Senior Airman Tyler J. Rice, 143rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Quonset ANGB, Rhode Island Petty Officer 2nd Class Cassidy B. Stevens, United States Coast Guard, Sector Southeastern New England Senior Airman Julianne R. Valentin, 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB Senior Airman Amber J. Webb, 66th Medical Squadron, Hanscom AFB Each graduate earned the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.