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Air University Spotlight: Air Force SNCO Academy

  • Published
  • Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA) is the third level of enlisted professional military education and prepares senior NCOs to lead the enlisted force in the employment of airpower in support of US national security objectives.

There is a single resident AFSNCOA located here at Maxwell AFB–Gunter Annex.

The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA) Advanced Leadership Experience (ALE) is a resident CCAF-affiliated program that consists of 200 classroom hours. The ALE prepares SNCOs for increased leadership responsibilities in the joint, combined, and interagency operating/strategic environment. Specifically, the AFSNCOA ALE educates SNCOs to help them become adaptable, critically thinking, and strategically relevant leaders in their operating environment.  

Learning Outcomes. The SNCOA ALE program prepares SNCOs to:

  • lead the enlisted force;
  • effectively communicate rank-appropriate tasks; and
  • model and develop professional military attributes.

Faculty. The AFSNCOA faculty members are required to have an associate’s degree (or fall within one year of completion) and complete the Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course (EPMEIC) before assignment to the academy. Within the first year of teaching, faculty must complete a 120-hour internship at the school.

Duration. The AFSNCOA program is delivered in 25 academic days. There are 6 classes each year with approximately 300 students in each class.

Eligibility. SNCOs from the total force, active-duty Air Force, selected Air Force Reserve (AFRES), and Air National Guard (ANG) may attend the resident AFSNCOA. Selected Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and international military personnel also attend on a limited basis. Active-duty Air Force personnel must have at least one year of retainability following graduation. The Air Force Military Personnel Center identifies and notifies active-duty students for ALE program attendance. Air Force students must meet Air Force standards.  Students from other services must meet their service’s standards.

Reference AFI 36-2656, Developmental Education, for Active Duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve scheduling information.

Sister service members interested in attending should contact the following POC's:

US Navy:  NCC Triston Thomas, AFSNCOA Coordinator (triston.q.thomas@navy.mil)

US Marine Corps:  GySgt David Spurling, Deputy Director Senior Enlisted Academy (david.spurling@usmcu.edu)

US Army:  MSG Yairick McFadden, Executive Officer, The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (yairick.d.mcfadden.mil@mail.mil)

US Coast Guard:  MKCS Christopher Wilson, Office of Leadership (CG-128), Enlisted Professional Development (christopher.h.wilson@uscg.mil)

Students selected for the course may email Student Administration or call: Commercial (334) 416-1651 or DSN 596-1651 for any questions.

The in-residence AFSNCOA does not manage/administer the AFSNCOA DLC (Course 14). For assistance with the AFSNCOA DLC, visit https://auservicedesk.af.edu or call: Commercial (334) 416-1736 or DSN 596-1736.