Future NCOs complete ALS Published Sept. 25, 2015 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Twelve soon-to-be NCOs completed the first step in their professional military education after finishing Airman Leadership School that culminated in a graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons Sept. 25. The PME class, comprised of 10 senior airman and two U.S. Coast Guard petty officers, completed five weeks of coursework designed to develop junior enlisted members into effective front-line supervisors. The curriculum focused on leadership abilities and effective communication. Senior Master Sgt. Shon Teicheira, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO and the guest speaker during the ceremony, spoke to graduates about leadership and what it takes to be a successful leader in today's military. "[Leaders] don't do things just because that's the way it's always been - leaders do things that make the most sense in today's smaller force," he said. "Leaders must also do things that make sense for the Airmen they lead." He went on to discuss the need to have confidence and passion. "You have to show those you lead that you are confident," Teicheira said. "And passion shows that you care and that something is important to you." Following his speech, ALS faculty recognized three students as top performers. Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas C. Distefano, U.S. Coast Guard Station New Haven, New Haven, Conn., 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 Senior Airman Michael W. Higgins, 2nd Weather Squadron, Detachment 2, Sagamore Hill Solar Observatory, 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 and fostered teamwork within the training environment. Senior Airman Bruno H. Ramos, 143rd Civil Engineering Squadron, Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, R.I., was named the Commandant Award winner. This award is 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 John N. Ashley, 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Trent C. Fowler, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass. Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria V. Marshall, Base Boston, U.S. Coast Guard, Mass. Senior Airman Kristi A. McDonald, 143rd Operations Squadron, Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, R.I. Senior Airman Samantha L. McInnis, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center-Hanscom Senior Airman Dalton L. Miller, 64th Refueling Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. Senior Airman Matthew A. Phillips, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass. Senior Airman Sarah L. Rohlk, 66th Air Base Group Senior Airman Johnathan A. Zelisko, 42nd Aerial Port Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Each graduate is awarded the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.