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    Course 15 – Air Force PME proves difficult for NCO corps

    HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

    05.03.2016

    Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Stoltz 

    15th Wing Public Affairs

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM – Course 15. These words are quickly becoming a topic of interest (or for some, a topic of frustration) for Airmen and Non-Commissioned Officers throughout the Air Force. Whether it is speaking to testers in person, or reading posts of discouragement on popular internet websites like Reddit, it is apparent the course is causing stress for those who are required to take it.

    Regardless, for the foreseeable future, Course 15 is here to stay, and can affect the career paths of the Enlisted Corps.

    Replacing the traditional ‘in-residence’ NCO Academy, Course 15 is a cost-saving measure intended to instill basic leadership and managerial concepts to Airmen, preparing them for selection and attendance to the NCO Academy Intermediate Leadership Experience.

    Course 15 consists of four core attributes: military professional, operational airman, unit manager and managerial communicator. To successfully complete the course, students are required to pass two course exams, demonstrating competency by meeting or exceeding the minimum passing score on each exam.

    “Course 15 is an important component of our continued force development,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Williams Jr., 15th Wing Command Chief. “Passing the course is an attribute that will allow continued growth and the opportunity for Airmen to potentially attend our in-resident Intermediate Leadership Experience (ILE). Course 15 is a prerequisite for ILE candidates (SSgts/TSgts) between 7 to 12 years’ time-in-service (TIS).

    Studying early, scheduling the test early, and completing both sections of the test early are the best ways to approach the course, according to Williams. He said procrastinating and waiting may result in a less-than-desired outcome.

    “Airmen who fail to complete the applicable distance learning course within 12 months of notification will automatically be rendered ineligible to reenlist or extend until the requirement is met,” said CMSgt. Williams. “Additionally, if the distance learning course is not completed within the 12 months prescribed and it is on or after the promotion eligibility cutoff date, Airmen will be ineligible for promotion during the promotion cycle. This includes testing, consideration if already tested, or cancellation of the promotion sequence number if previously selected.”

    Chief Williams said it is important that all eligible members complete the course to foster professional development. He also acknowledged the difficulty of the tests and the higher-than-expected failure rate. According to Williams, the current pass rate for Hickam AFB is only at 61-percent.

    “I believe our failure rates are high for two reasons,” said Williams. “One, the course material is challenging, lengthy, and covers diverse topics. Two, NCOs are not investing enough time studying to fully comprehend the material in order to score well on these difficult tests.”

    Williams also stated he is informed of concerns there might be a disconnect between current Senior NCOs who attended in-residence professional military education, compared to the NCOs who are required to complete EPME courses.

    “With this course we’ve changed the method of delivery and how we’re evaluating our respective levels of comprehension, in comparison to when our older generation completed legacy correspondence courses,” said Williams. “Being candid, I’m not discounting the difficulty of this course; on the same note, I thought our early versions of Senior NCO EPME correspondence courses were difficult as well. With all that said, I would say it is all relative. Correspondence courses are intended to challenge us while building a solid foundational learning platform.”

    Chief Williams said his advice to those who will take or are currently enrolled is to study to the point that course material is fully understood, and remind testers not to take the course for granted.

    “I would like to challenge our enrolled candidates not to lose sight of what these EPME courses are designed to do -- further develop professional Airmen,” he said. “With anything that’s worthwhile, it’s going to take hard work and dedication in order to succeed. Based upon this short term sacrifice, you’ll have a more equipped tool kit once the course is complete and you’ll be better equipped to serve your Airmen and take care of mission requirements. Again, I know it’s not easy, but keep pressing forward until you’re done.”

    For more information about Course 15, contact the Hickam education office at 448-0022 or visit the following website link: https://ausis.maxwell.af.mil/SIS/app/template/SchoolIndex.vm?school=NCOA#general

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.03.2016
    Date Posted: 05.09.2016 15:52
    Story ID: 197226
    Location: HONOLULU, HI, US

    Web Views: 1,524
    Downloads: 0

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