ALS: Airmen leading Airmen to success

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Areca Wilson | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Samantha Rathbun, 31st Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment journeyman, was awarded the John L. Levitow Award during an Airman Leadership School graduation, Feb. 5, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The John L. Levitow Award is highest honor presented to the student who demonstrates the most excellence as a leader and scholar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell/Released)  

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY

02.10.2016

Story by Senior Airman Areca Wilson 

31st Fighter Wing

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy - Each year, thousands of U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen are afforded the chance to join the ranks of noncommissioned officer. The title, "front-line supervisor," isn't earned over night; it takes time, dedication and a willingness to learn.

"Our goal as a staff is to help prepare the Airmen for their upcoming supervisory duties," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jose Negron, 31st Force Support Squadron ALS commandant. "By no means will any Airman leave ALS being a perfect supervisor from the start, but we hope they leave better prepared to accept the challenge than when they came to us."

According to Negron, understanding the Air Force's expectations of them will help ALS students be successful in supervising their future subordinates.

During the 24-day course, ALS instructors use several teaching techniques to educate Airmen on five academic disciplines: Profession of Arms, Warfare, Leadership, International Security, and Communication studies.

Simply teaching the course material each day is not enough. Instructors use their personal experiences and goals to inspire and guide their students.

Technical Sergeant Mishon Montgomery, 31st FSS ALS instructor, knew she wanted to help mentor Airmen after her past experiences, before becoming an instructor.

"In my last position, I served as the financial resource advisor and I found that I spent a great deal of my time dealing with people, specifically junior enlisted Airmen," she explained. "I was not only helping them with [questions related to my job], but also with career questions. They would come back to ask me things based on the little interaction we had during their in processing. I realized then that I was mentoring them."

While Montgomery was inspired by how she felt after mentoring Airmen, Tech. Sgt. Amanda Garvin, 31st FSS ALS instructor, credits her passion to her experience when she transitioned to staff sergeant.

"I became an instructor because I wanted to help as many Airmen as I could to get through the toughest transition of their career," Garvin explained. "When I sewed on and became a supervisor for the first time, I was privy to meetings and information [my peers weren't]. I had to go through that transition alone--it was hard to watch how they didn't understand what I was going through and [why I was making certain decisions]."

Although Montgomery and Garvin became instructors for different reasons, they both agree that developing Airmen as front-line supervisors continues to drive the passion for their job.

"Enthusiasm makes the difference," said Montgomery. "I get excited about the lesson material, my students and their growth. I show them my excitement about teaching and how the information can help them."

Montgomery and Garvin challenge their students daily, helping them develop a leader mindset.

"I may be the first person that informs Airmen about career information that can help them be successful," said Montgomery. "This can help them become better supervisors, leaders, mentors or colleagues, whether they stay enlisted or decide to get out of the military. The concepts we teach are universal, and that is why it is so awesome."

Even though the instructors are committed to their jobs, goals are not easily met and require overcoming challenges and time management.

"The challenge faced every day is making all the material fit into the time allotted," Garvin explained. "I ensure I know the material like the back of my hand. If there is something I don't know, I research it, so I am able to deliver the material that addresses their concerns before they even ask."

In the end, Montgomery and Garvin believe mentoring the Air Force's future generation makes it worthwhile.

"By far, being an ALS instructor is one of the most rewarding jobs," Montgomery said. "Knowing that you have the opportunity to shape the minds of our future leaders is invaluable."

Garvin is grateful she continues to mentor some of her students even after graduation.

"The biggest reward is seeing the students get excited to [overcome any supervisory challenges]. I get messages months later from my students, highlighting the things that made the differences for them," Garvin explained. "I think it's really humbling and inspiring that I get to be that one noncommissioned officer who made a difference for some Airmen. That, to me, is truly an honor."

According to Negron, his staff's continuous drive to do their best at all times is greatly appreciated.

"As commandant, I don't teach much anymore, but getting a chance to interact with the students and watching the impact their instructors have on them is phenomenal and inspiring," he said. "Setting up our future leaders for success is paramount to the Air Force's success. As far as my staff goes, they make my job easy, given their high level of professionalism and devotion to their duties."

• Date Taken: 02.10.2016
• Date Posted: 02.24.2016 09:12
• Story ID: 189911
• Location: AVIANO AIR BASE, IT
• Hometown: GRAND FORKS, ND, US
• Hometown: OCALA, FL, US
• Hometown: PENSACOLA, FL, US