Reservists learn leadership skills along side active duty counterparts at Tinker Airman Leadership School

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren Gleason
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In addition to active duty, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Navy sailors also have the opportunity to attend Tinker Airman Leadership School, a five week course designed to prepare E-4's for promotion.

Class 14-F class leader, Senior Airman Kallima Scott, is a traditional Reservist in the 507th Force Support Squadron. She chose to attend the school in-residence over completing the distance learning course so she could gain hands-on experience and have the chance to learn from fellow future NCO's and the instructors.

Scott, who as a civilian works for the Federal Aviation Administration, says she is impressed with the knowledge she has gained from her instructor, Staff Sgt. Samantha Long.

"I've already learned methods for adjusting my leadership style to fit varying personality traits, and that will help me be a better supervisor in the Reserves and also in my civilian job."

Her responsibilities as a class leader include maintaining accountability of the students and handling systemic issues within the three flights.

The school gives the 36 students the tools they need to be successful supervisors through instruction on communication, professionalism, and teamwork, while providing a forum that naturally lends itself to networking with other service members who work in vastly different work centers on base.

Tech Sgt. Catherine Colly, senior ALS instructor, says her favorite aspect of instructing is seeing how the students interact with each other using the methods she teaches in class.

"Students from all over the base share and discuss their own experiences, which educates their peers and helps open up their eyes to things may have never seen in their own workplace."

In 2012, the ALS course material was revised to incorporate relevant changes gathered from feedback provided by students and instructors.

The future leaders learn public speaking skills, how to prepare and execute briefings, and how to command a flight during drill, but in the new curriculum more emphasis is placed on sharpening conflict management skills and getting hands-on experience performing supervisory duties such as performance reports.

ALS Commandant Master Sgt. Stuart Saunders says instructing is not an easy job and is continuously impressed with the four instructors he supervises.

"The instructors put in a lot of hours instructing and shaping our future NCO's because they understand that being able to make an impact at this level is an amazing opportunity," Saunders said.

He places priority on building camaraderie and morale within the flights and presents awards to the top performers to encourage competition and pride through weekly fitness challenges.

Saunders, a former ground radar technician, enjoys the school house environment because he can reach out to the junior enlisted and make a positive difference through mentoring and instructing.

"It is rewarding when graduates call or stop by to describe how they have utilized the skills they learned in class in their careers," Saunders said. "I have the best job in the Air Force right here."