Photo By Spc. Anthony Nadeau | U.S. Army National Guard soldiers attend the inaugural Leadership Professional...... read more read more
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Phoenix -- The Arizona National Guard has launched its inaugural Leadership Professional Development Course, a new course aimed at building stronger, more adaptive leaders at every level of command. This course brings together Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) from team leaders to sergeants major as well as officers ranging from company grade to battle staff, for a more comprehensive approach to leadership education.
The program is designed not only to refine leadership fundamentals but also to foster a culture of continuous growth and professional excellence throughout the Arizona National Guard. With an emphasis on real-world application and historical insight, the course aims to “capture lessons learned [from] the Arizona Guard, different leaders, and historical events that have advanced leadership effectiveness,” said Sgt. Maj. Graydon Griffin.
What sets this course apart is the deliberate focus on Arizona-specific leadership challenges and opportunities. Unlike standardized Army-wide training programs, this course is optimized for the unique mission sets, operational tempo, and personnel dynamics of the Arizona National Guard.
Griffin explained his long-term vision: “My view on developing leaders is [that it's] the most important product that we can generate as the Arizona National Guard.” This view emphasizes the point of the course - to bridge gaps between standard military education and experience-driven instruction.
The program aligns with the Army’s professional military education (PME) system, and enhances it by integrating state-specific leadership practices and mentoring. “Each pay grade should be going to successive professional education,” Griffin said, “and we are enhancing that with Arizona-specific leadership development.”
This course is designed to build upon previous training experiences, such as the Squad Leader and Team Leader Courses, creating a structured pathway for all leaders. “The classes we are doing here with platoon sergeants and above should enhance what the squad leaders and team leaders have been through,” Griffin explained. The program intends to build resilient and adaptable leaders ready to meet both state and federal missions.
As the Arizona National Guard looks to the future, this leadership course represents more than just another professional military education opportunity - it’s an investment in the people. “Proper leadership training for the Arizona National Guard is the focus in order to create a more professional, efficient, and ready environment,” Griffin said.
By equipping leaders with Arizona-tailored tools and perspectives, the course is setting a new standard for readiness across the state’s formations. It’s not just about checking a box - it's about shaping a new legacy of leadership that will define the Guard’s future success.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2025 13:46 |
| Story ID: | 542639 |
| Location: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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