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SOS brings back distinguished graduate recognition program

  • Published
  • By Air University Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --  MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Air Force's leadership school for company grade officers is reinstituting a program to recognize its top-tier graduates who excel in all facets of the curriculum.

After a 38-month re-evaluation period, Air Force Squadron Officer School will be re-implementing its distinguished graduate recognition program. The DG award will be given in conjunction with its Top Third Graduate Award starting with Class 07D beginning April 16.

In 2004, SOS at Air University revised its student recognition program, doing away with the DG program and implementing the Top Third Graduate Award in its place.

"Our emphasis will continue to be on leadership and teambuilding," said SOS Commandant Col. Michael Tallent. "The DG program is a valuable tool for commanders in helping recognize those CGOs who have excelled on the only Air Force-wide level playing field. The blending of the TTG and DG programs will accurately identify those individuals who truly are a 'cut above.'"

The TTG program identifies the top 33 percent of the class based on each student's leadership performance. Their performance will be based on the Personal and People/Team Leadership Competencies from Air Force Doctrine Document 1-1: exercise sound judgment, adapt and perform under pressure, inspire trust, lead courageously, assess self, foster effective communication, and promote collaboration and teamwork. These leadership evaluations -- along with peer recognition, academic scores and fitness scores -- comprise the leadership-performance score. The DG award is then limited to no more than 10 percent of the total class enrollment.

Graduates' records will carry a distinction between the previous award programs used and the implementation of the DG program.

"The education and training report (Air Force Form 475) will clearly identify whether the Top Third or DG program was available for each SOS student," Colonel Tallent said. "Additionally, promotion/selection boards will be notified in writing of the SOS DG program timelines to ensure promotion board members are aware of the distinction as they score records between graduates who had an opportunity to compete for a DG and those classes (March 2004-April 2007) where only the TTG award was in place."

SOS will continue to recognize flights that achieve success in academic testing, problem solving, field leadership and overall performance. Students can also achieve individual recognition if selected as a flight-voted outstanding contributor (one per flight).

Colonel Tallent reemphasized that attendance in an in-resident Air University school "is a significant opportunity for professional growth and development of Airmen. Accordingly, those who perform in an outstanding manner should receive special recognition."