Sheppard NCOA, ALS completes historic Enlisted Professional Military Education integration to reinforce standards, readiness

  • Published
  • By Sheppard NCOA
  • Sheppard Noncommissioned Officer Academy
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The Sheppard Noncommissioned Officer Academy and Airman Leadership School set a precedent by merging portions of their Enlisted Professional Military Education curriculum, during its most recent iteration from Feb. 4 - March 27.

The integration of NCOA and ALS included weekly combined events such as reveille, retreat, open ranks, and physical fitness sessions. The objectives of these activities were to not only enrich the student experience but also to reinforce the importance of maintaining high standards and readiness within the ranks.

NCOA prepares students to successfully lead teams, strengthen their organization’s culture, solve problems while expanding their understanding of the Air Force’s role in joint operations. ALS prepares senior airmen for positions of greater responsibility by strengthening their ability to lead, follow, and manage while also gaining a broader understanding of the military profession.

Both EPME courses have a shared purpose of utilizing more than 190 curriculum hours to develop the enlisted warfighter through education.

This collaboration aligned more than 25 percent of the course schedules to enhance the profession of arms, focusing on essential elements such as readiness, standards, and discipline.

“I knew as we executed open ranks, reveille, and retreat, the students could take these lessons back and implement them into their units as the Air Force gets back to the basics of standards and readiness,” said Master Sgt. Andrea Huffstettler, Sheppard ALS Commandant.

As part of the program, both ALS and NCOA utilized commandant’s time to host guest speakers focusing on the National Defense Strategy and joint operations. These sessions elaborated on the critical role of being a joint warfighter, leading through mission command, and understanding the commander’s intent.

“When I heard about the integration, I was purely excited!” said Brig. Gen. Paul Filcek, 82nd Training Wing Commander. “It provided a real exchange of mentorship throughout the entire course and raised the culture of standards and decision making we need from our NCOs”.

The course merger culminated with a combined formal graduation ceremony, featuring keynote speaker, retired Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez who served as the 4th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This event not only celebrated the achievements of the students but also emphasized the importance of collaboration in fostering the next generation of Air Force leaders.

“It was a no-brainer to combine,” said Chief Master Sgt. Wilfred Morgan, Sheppard NCOA commandant. “We have a unique opportunity as the only active stateside NCOA and ALS that share the same building. We knew we could leverage our resources to enhance the experience for 119 students assigned to this class.”

The integration of ALS and NCOA at Sheppard Air Force Base stands as a testament to the commitment of the Air Force to develop capable, disciplined leaders ready to meet the challenges of today’s military landscape. Through this collaborative effort, Airmen-in-Training are better equipped to grow as effective team leaders, ensuring the Air Force remains prepared and resilient in the face of evolving global challenges