SECAF, CSAF approve Air University test

  • Published
  • By Phil Berube
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) --  The secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force have approved the testing of an initiative designed to improve interaction between officers and enlisted members in the professional military education environment at Air University.

The plan calls for students attending the Air and Space Basic Course and Air Force Senior NCO Academy being matched together in teams for more than a week of instruction, said Col. Jonathan Klaaren, commandant of Squadron Officer School and acting commander of Squadron Officer College, the parent unit of ASBC.

"Specifically, the initiative would highlight the role of the company grade officer as a leader to enlisted members, and the role of the senior (noncommissioned officer) as a mentor to company grade officers," Klaaren said. "The goal is increased understanding and appreciation of the talents officers and enlisted members bring to the fight."

The test session begins July 21 when 600 lieutenants attending ASBC and 420 people attending the academy will be broken down into teams of nine officers and five NCOs, he said.

A variety of instructional methods will be used during the week.

"The greatest emphasis will be on hands-on instructional methods," said Klaaren.

The expected outcome from this initiative goes beyond what can be derived from classroom lectures or a deployment exercise. Force development is the ultimate goal, said the commander of the College for Enlisted Professional Military Education, the parent unit of the academy.

"Officers who have a better understanding and appreciation for a force they have chosen to lead, coupled with developing a senior NCO's understanding and appreciation of officer force development, can only serve to strengthen our force and solidify our leadership foundation," said Col. Michael Gegg.

Gegg also views this venture as an opportunity to transform the academy's academic culture.

"The academy will be able to utilize this initiative as a catalyst to move from a school of corporate management to a school of combat leadership," he said.

If deemed a success, the colonel said the combined operations session would be included as a block of instruction in both schools in January. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)