Future NCOs complete milestone Published Aug. 1, 2016 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Twelve future noncommissioned officers completed the first step in their professional military education after finishing Airman Leadership School here July 29 following a graduation ceremony at the Minuteman Commons. According to ALS staff, by graduating from the five-week course, the students are now equipped with the knowledge to supervise subordinate personnel. The class consisted of active duty Air Force, Coast Guard, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve service members. Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer A. Sullivan, superintendent of the 66th Comptroller Squadron and guest speaker for the ALS Class 16E graduation, challenged each student to continue their growth as enlisted leaders in their respective services. "Be intentional in your growth and find within yourself an intellectual curiosity that keeps pushing you forward to bigger and brighter aspirations," Sullivan said, who graduated from ALS at Hurlburt Field, Florida, in 1998. “Never stop learning.” Sullivan also discussed that they must be willing to accept the responsibility that awaits them as future supervisors. "As a front-line supervisor your ability to build positive work center relationships up, down, across the chain of command, is crucial to mission success," she said. “Transparent, timely and forthcoming communication builds trust, bridges the gap, clears up misunderstandings and it also ignites hope, solves problems and overcomes obstacles.” She closed by challenging them to be courageous. “Every day will not be rainbows and unicorns, in the midst of conflicts, criticisms and unpopular decisions -- be courageous,” she said. Following the guest speaker, ALS instructors recognized three students as top performers. Petty Officer Third Class Samuel M. Donahue, Sector Field Office Moriches, New York, United States Coast Guard, received the John L. Levitow Award. The 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 PME student. The Academic Achievement Award recipient was Senior Airman Christian R. Salinas, Contracting Directorate, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. This award goes 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 Andres R. Barandica-Jimenez, 439th Logistic Readiness Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., was the Commandant Award recipient. This award goes to the 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 Robert J. Beaver, IV Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Senior Airman Kip J. DiVito 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Devyn B. Gourdine 439th Maintenance Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Senior Airman Cheyenne A. Liston 102nd Force Support Squadron, Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass. Senior Airman Christopher A. Manns 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, Mass. Petty Officer Third Class Eric A. Prufer United States Coast Guard, Sector Boston, Mass. Senior Airman Nicholas C. Taylor Joint Personal Property Shipping Office, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Senior Airman Alec D. Walter 121st Maintenance Squadron, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio Each graduate is presented the U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduation ribbon.