Editor's note: This is the third article in a series about special duties offered on Hurlburt Field.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Airman Leadership School is a right of passage every airman must accomplish as they climb to the rank of staff sergeant.
It is here where ALS instructors support the mission by providing a more effective force of first line supervisors who are more adaptable and resilient to take on demanding missions, according to Staff Sgt. Kody Hopper, Hurlburt Field ALS instructor.
"My job here at ALS is to ensure only the best of the best NCOs graduate," he said. "The better the NCOs we have in our Air Force, the more prepared we will be to take on missions."
For Hopper, who said he loves to see people grow and develop themselves, teaching has always been a passion.
"I never thought I'd end up teaching at ALS," he said. "But when I went through the course, I decided I'd be able to make a difference in our Air Force by teaching here."
Staff Sgt. Cristen Field, Hurlburt Field ALS instructor, said she knew she wanted to be an instructor early in her career.
"After attending ALS, I knew this is where I wanted to work," she said.
The journey to becoming an ALS instructor begins by submitting a package to the commandant. Packages consist of an official photo in full service dress, last five EPRs, letters of recommendation from a commander and a person of choice, a target resume, a profile updated with Professional Military Education requirements, and a passing physical fitness test score.
The next step is an interview with the commandant, two instructors, and the 1st Force Support Squadron superintendent, according to the instructors.
"They asked me several questions which pertained to my ability to become an instructor," Hopper said. "They even asked to list out my weaknesses and how I would overcome them. The questions were very thorough and personal because of the commitment and sacrifice this job requires."
Once hired, new instructors shadow classes and then attend the Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course at Gunter Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., which is five weeks long.
"This course trained us to write a lesson plan and deliver material," Hopper said. "They prepared us with the science behind learning and different tips and techniques to deliver an effective lesson. They even covered how to deal with the 'difficult' students."
Hopper said ALS instructors need to communicate and adapt to different situations well in order to transform new NCOs into effective leaders.
Field said being an ALS instructor hones leadership skills, patience and understanding.
ALS instructors are responsible for keeping up with the constant changing curriculums, delivering lessons every day, and grading papers almost every night, according to Hopper.
In the end, both instructors had positive comments about their job.
Hopper said being an ALS instructor is the most rewarding job he's ever had.
"The job is trying, exhausting, frustrating and a huge commitment," he said. "But in the end, it gives me huge satisfaction when I see my students walk across the stage at graduation."
Field said the best part of the job is watching the students graduate and knowing she has helped their career.
"Making a difference is rewarding beyond words," she said.