ALS graduates take next step Published May 23, 2016 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 finishing Airman Leadership School here May 20 following a graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons. According to the ALS staff, by graduating from the five-week course, the students, comprised of 10 senior airmen and two U.S. Coast Guard petty officers, are now equipped with the knowledge to supervise subordinate personnel. The guest speaker at the graduation was Senior Master Sgt. Wesley J. Keville, superintendent of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) Recapitalization Division. During his remarks, he explained how he met with students from ALS Class 16 D prior to graduation to discuss leadership. "Attributes that make a good leader, will always make a good leader," Keville said, who graduated from ALS at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, in 2001. Keville, scheduled to sew on chief master sergeant later this year, explained that when he met with the soon-to-be NCOs, they each provided examples of what makes an effective leader. "We talked about good leaders being technically knowledgeable," he said. "We talked about good leaders actually caring about their people. Empowering their subordinates to accomplish challenging tasks and following up -- not just delegating and disappearing." Keville also spoke with the graduates about the difference between being in charge and being a leader. "True leaders embrace that leadership isn't a popularity contest; it is about living up to what it means to serve and to be considered a leader by subordinates, peers and supervisors," he said. "They [Airmen] want someone who will push them to be the best they can be ... to challenge them, to discipline them, to listen to them and to care about them." Following Keville's speech, instructors recognized three students as top performers. Senior Airman Brianna Johndrow, 101st Intelligence Squadron, Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, received the John L. Levitow Award. This 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 Michael Horn, C3I and Networks Directorate, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. 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. Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Norton, United States Coast Guard, Cape Cod, Mass., was the Commandant Award recipient. 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 Melissa L. Bak, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Petty Officer Third Class Steven A. Collins, Cutter Albacore, U.S. Coast Guard, Connecticut Senior Airman Michael Gaerman, 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Senior Airman Justin J. Gehl, 2nd Weather Squadron, Detachment 2, Sagamore Hill Solar Observatory, Mass. Senior Airman Nicholas K. Guarente, 66th Comptroller Squadron, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Senior Airman Justin R. Hodge, Contracting Directorate, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Senior Airman Jacob T. Kuykendoll, 66th Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Senior Airman Jonathon Osman, 42nd Aerial Port Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Byron Stockdale, 436th Maintenance Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass. Each graduate is awarded the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.