Course strengthens NCO core

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In many squadrons, a strong core of first-line supervisors is the key to mission success. Not only are they boots on the ground with years of experience under their belts, they serve as mentors and role-models to another integral piece in the Team Dover machine - the Airmen.

To better prepare NCOs for the responsibility they inherit, the 436th Maintenance Group took the training of the Dover AFB's new first-line supervisors into their own hands by creating the NCO Supervisory Skills Training course.

"This course teaches lessons and values we want first-line supervisors to pass on to their subordinates," said Master Sgt. John Morris, the NCO in charge of the curriculum development element with the 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron. "The lessons taught here are universally applicable to NCOs."

The two-and-a-half day course features an all-volunteer faculty who teach blocks of instruction on leadership, discipline, administration, enlisted performance reports and professional development. The curriculum is largely focused on collaborative learning, with senior NCOs and officers attending the classes to share their past experiences on the job. Class sizes are intentionally small to personalize the lessons, providing a unique experience each time.

The classes are available to any NCO or senior airman with a line number throughout the wing. They must be nominated by their shops. To date, Airmen from the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 436th Medical Group have completed the course.

One such Airman was Tech. Sgt. Michael Hammond, a C-5 Galaxy communication and navigation instructor with the 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron.

"The biggest benefit [from taking the class] is to hear people share ideas about different leadership styles, and stories on how they dealt with different situations. The students feed off the interaction with the each other," said Hammond. "Plus, it can provide more applicable information than [other leadership programs] because situations discussed in class are typically specific to the students' career field."

According to student critiques, many of the two-year-old course's prior students agree with Hammond's favorable view on the training they receive. For many prior instructors, the positive sentiment is shared as well.

"It's actually scary how well the course has been received ¬- nearly all the critiques are extremely positive," said Chief Master Sgt. Dominic Perino, a prior instructor of the NCOSST course. "Students identify the power of the relation built during the course; they can relate and connect to [the instructors'] experience because we've been where they are."

Though the program has a history of success, keeping the faculty fully-staffed is always a concern for those involved with the course. Permanent changes of station, deployments and retirements all take their toll on the pool of volunteers the course can draw on; new volunteers are always welcome, and the demand for well-trained NCOs is high.

"[First-line supervisors] do more than work alongside the Airmen; they connect with them. They know their family, struggles, and hopes and dreams. They counter their Airmen's pressures on-and-off the job. They make a huge difference in the lives of one of [Dover AFB's] most valuable resources," said Col. Thomas Kauth, commander of the 436th Maintenance Group. "Any new supervisor would benefit from this course; we're eager to share our success throughout the base, and beyond."