Academy adds editorial, speech writing to curriculum

  • Published
  • By Emily Reagan
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) --  Writing editorials and speeches is not always easy for the “techno-centric.”

Since most of the Air Force's senior enlisted leaders are people managers experienced as mechanics, number crunchers or computer fixers, they often have limited experience putting their thoughts on paper. The idea of having a large audience listening to and reading their words can be rather intimidating.

With that in mind, the Air Force Senior NCO Academy here has added editorial and motivational speech writing to its curriculum to sharpen the communication skills of senior enlisted leaders.

In the newly revised communications seminar, students learn to write motivational and inspirational speeches and editorials, brief audiences on air power projection, and address current command chief master sergeant issues.

"(The faculty) likes to think of the academy as a think tank which provides a network of solution advisers for commanders, wing command chiefs and first sergeants" said Kevin Reuter, academy curriculum chief.

"As senior managers, they should be concise communicators able to write editorials (for base newspapers, major command publications and Web sites) and speeches that convey their commanders’ expectations and concerns," Mr. Reuter said.

During the communications seminar, senior noncommissioned officers are challenged to write three speeches as well as a position paper and an editorial highlighting a classmate's accomplishments.

"We're teaching these enlisted leaders to widen their scope of influence,” said Senior Master Sgt. Susan Garcia, an academy flight instructor and the module manager for communications. “It's part of their function as senior leaders to motivate and inspire the troops. Through editorials and speeches, they often have the ability to reach out and touch people they might not directly be in contact with."

Previously, communications skills development involved students writing historical papers and producing group projects; however, it was difficult for the students to see the immediate benefit and application of those assignments.

In November, a needs-assessment study with the student body and field managers showed a need for improvement in developing practical communications skills.

The academy also turned to its pool of instructors. About one-third of the academy’s faculty turns over every year.

"What this means is that we are constantly being refreshed with expertise straight from the field,” said Chief Master Sgt. David Andrews, academy commandant. “We capitalized on these new perspectives and applied the experiences of these new instructors to develop a communications curriculum that is in alignment with what our senior NCOs are actually doing, or need to be able to do, in the field."

Students in the first class to have this curriculum said they can see the real-world application of the new projects and are excited about the opportunity to improve their skills.

"I can see the relevance,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jim Weimar, a C-130 Hercules maintenance quality assurance inspector at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. "Senior NCOs should be challenged to write. If we apply this information and the techniques we learned when we get back, we are helping ourselves and each other."

The academy builds its teaching environment on important communication skills.

"Our intent is to provide all of our students with military education that can be used at their duty sections, wings and major commands," Chief Andrews said. "This new curriculum is focused intensely on what is really happening in the Air Force and provides our students with abilities and skills they will use for the benefit of the Air Force mission." (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)