Training is part of Air Force life—basic training, pilot training, technical training, computer-based training, on-the-job training. It’s part and parcel of being and Airman.

It’s not often though, that you hear someone credit a single class with turning around a whole unit.

But that’s exactly what Lt. Col. Mark Schmidt, commander of the 435^th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph AFB says about the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence’s course, Professionalism -- Enhancing Human Capital, which members of Team Sheppard will have the chance to attend Feb. 4 from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the base theater.

After attending the class in 2014, Schmidt brought back the tools and lessons he learned to his team. Since then, his squadron has seen an 85 percent reduction in both their student dropout rate in the unit’s Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Course and the washout rate for their students’ follow-on training.

“Our mission is to turn pilots into fighter pilots,” he said. “We’ve always been able to move the grade book from beginning to end and graduate combat-ready Airmen.”

While unit members were great at forging fighter pilots, he said, it didn’t necessarily mean they were creating effective leaders -- something fundamental to being an Air Force officer. He knew that if he wanted to grow leaders, he had to empower his flight commanders to sow the seeds – and the Enhancing Human Capital course gave him the tools, knowledge and motivation he needed to do that.

According to the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence web site, the course “is an inspiring, optimistic and enjoyable opportunity that helps us to focus on bringing out a better version of ourselves as well as a better version of those around us.”

Topics include:

• The attributes and dangers of personal bias

• Effective communication techniques

• The phenomenon of entrenched thinking

• How power changes relationships—for good or bad

• Tools to use immediately in your work space

• Developing productive, healthy relationships (at work and home)

• Importance of knowing your people

• Consideration for leading others

• Mandate verses organic leadership skills

The course is open to all permanent party military and civilian members as well as key spouses. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Darby Jaynes, 82^nd Medical Support Squadron, at (940) 676-3776.

(Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs contributed to this story)