ALS graduates take next step Published April 8, 2016 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- More than 150 friends, family and coworkers of soon-to-be front-line supervisors attended the Airman Leadership School Graduation Banquet here April 8 at the Minuteman Commons. The class, comprised of nine senior airmen and two U.S. Coast Guard petty officers, completed the first step in their professional military education after completing the five-week course. According to the ALS staff, the graduates are now equipped with the knowledge to supervise junior members in their respective organizations. The guest speaker at Class 16C's graduation was Lt. Col. Sidney S. Squires, 66th Force Support Squadron deputy director. "I passionately believe that the most important job in our military today is of the front-line supervisor," he said. "It is so critically important that the Air Force has invested five demanding weeks of professional military education that is designed to develop you into effective front-line supervisors." He also stressed how important it will be for them to invest in those Airmen they lead. "Taking care of your people includes writing awards packages, decorations, letters of recommendations, enlisted performance reports, and if needed, disciplinary corrective measures," Squires said. "But always remember, the most important thing when taking care of your people, is being there for them when you are needed most." Squires concluded his remarks with encouraging each graduate to leave a better first impression than his first supervisor left on him. "You are no longer responsible for just you--be that positive first impression for our newest service members, as you all know very well, first impressions matter," Squires said. "As I mentioned earlier, I remember my first supervisor for all the wrong reasons, be the supervisor that 23 years from now, they remember you for all right ones." Following his speech, instructors recognized three students as top performers. Petty Officer Third Class Cassandra R. Kintzley, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Boston, Massachusetts, was awarded 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 Petty Officer Third Class Peter Freese, United States Coast Guard, Sector Southeastern New England, Providence, Rhode Island. 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 Amanda A. Trala, 66th Medical Squadron, was named the Commandant Award winner. This award is not based on academic performance, but 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 David E. Babcock II, 58th Aerial Port Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Paul W. Bissett, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Senior Airman Mitchell S. Collins, 66th Comptroller Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Senior Airman Benjamin M. Coyer, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod, Mass. Senior Airman Kender R. DesRosiers, 102nd Communications Flight, Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass. Senior Airman Russell T. Grantham, 2nd Weather Squadron, Det. 2, Sagamore Hill Solar Observatory, Mass. Senior Airman Kelly R. Hoadley, 439th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Jonathan S. Steinkopf, 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Each graduate is awarded the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.