HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Twelve junior enlisted Air Force and Coast Guard service members completed five weeks of professional military education Aug. 16 following an Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons here.
Members of ALS Class 19-Golf, comprised of active duty Airmen, active U.S. Coast Guardsmen, as well as Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel, are now qualified to supervise junior enlisted in their respective organizations, according to school officials.
“The diversity of experience in our students really allowed for some great classroom discussions throughout the course,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Dillingham, the commandant for ALS. “Each student was able to learn from the others and better understand the role they have as uniformed personnel.”
Dillingham added that the school also prepares service members to provide feedback to subordinates, write annual enlisted performance reports, prepare letters of counseling when appropriate and more about supervising.
During the ceremony, school officials announced the names of three students who received awards.
The school’s top award, the John L. Levitow Award, went to Senior Airman Jessie Pangrac, 42nd Intelligence Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. 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 professional military education student.
The Academic Achievement Award went to Senior Airman Nia McClearn, 66th Medical Squadron at Hanscom. This award goes to the student who achieves the highest summative scores throughout the class and who displays characteristics of an effective leader. The recipient also must have fostered teamwork within the training environment.
Petty Officer Third Class Dominic Deluca, U.S. Air Force Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, captured the Commandant Award. This award goes to the student who displays all the characteristics of a leader. Once all other factors are considered, the ALS commandant renders the final judgment on who receives this award.
Deluca also received the Dress and Appearance Award.
Other students who completed the course include:
Senior Airman Berwethe Benaca, 103rd Air Control Squadron, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn.
Staff Sgt. Quentin Canada, 111th Services Squadron, Horsham Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania
Senior Airman Cody Falk, 64th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire
Senior Airman Jermaine Harris, 64th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H.
Senior Airman Ricara Henderson, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB
Senior Airman Sang Su Kim, 32nd Aerial Port Squadron, Pitsburgh Air Refueling Station, Penn.
Senior Airman Jamison Loy, 439th Maintenance Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.
Petty Officer Third Class Melvin Rivera, Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
Senior Airman Johnny Rodriquez, 436th Maintenance Squadron, Westover ARB
Each graduate earned the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.