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Developing leaders: Airmen graduate from Enlisted Reserve Orientation Course

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  

The 403rd Wing hosted its second Enlisted Reserve Orientation Course graduation for 10 Airmen Saturday.

The wing originally established the 403rd University in January 2022 to assist wing Airmen and civil servants in reaching their personal and professional goals; however, the EROC, which began beta testing for the course in June 2023 held the first graduation for enlisted members new to the Air Force Reserve in December 2023.

“When we started this program it was a grassroots idea because we needed to provide the mentorship and the networking capability to our Airmen that is often only available to active duty, and I saw that our Airmen were working in silos within their work centers, and not getting the opportunity to meet each other and understand what each other did to really get a large scope of what our mission is at the 403rd Wing,” said Senior Master Sgt. Monica Garcia, 403rd Wing Inspector General Inspections planner and 403rd Wing Professional Development Council president, adding that the EROC and 403rd University fall under the umbrella of the Wing’s PDC. “The EROC not only provides mentoring and networking opportunities, but information that helps set these Airmen up for success in their Reserve careers.” 

The EROC is part of the Air Force’s Airmanship series. Recruits are introduced to the Enlisted Airmanship Continuum at Basic Military Training, known as Airmanship 100, and this series is reinforced to Airmen attending technical school, Airmanship 200. The series continues for active-duty Airmen at their first base. Airmanship 300 is offered through the First Term Airmen Center curriculum, and is a prerequisite for Airman Leadership School, the Airmanship 400 level course. This series continues throughout an Airman’s career culminating with Airmanship 900, the Chief Leadership Course.

“The intent is to mimic the First Term Airmen Center course active-duty Airmen receive at their first duty station,” said Garcia. “The Reserve doesn’t have a program like that for new Reserve Airmen, so the intent of this course is to provide something similar to help them navigate the start of their careers.”

Airmanship 300 covers topics such as Airmanship, ethical decision making, financial management, and Reserve specific administrative requirements. They also learn about base resources such as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, Military and Family Readiness Center programs, and mental health advocacy.

In all, Airmen completed 25 hours of EROC curriculum in six months. The course is not yet mandatory, but highly encouraged for new Air Force Reserve enlisted Airmen, said Garcia.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony Kies, 336th Training Instructor who assisted with the EROC, was the guest speaker for the graduation.

“I had a great time facilitating great discussions with you about Air Force organizations, values, history and professional development that I hope will stick with you throughout the entire of your career,” he said. “Your journey to graduating this course took you through a host of topics that will compliment you with your natural duties to lead, follow and execute your duties. Airmanship lessons never stopped being useful, not just as Airmen, but throughout many aspects of our lives. You have had the unique opportunity earlier in your career to set yourself up for success and pave the way in your Air Force Reserve career and your civilian lives.”

Senior Airman Ludmila Johnson, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical technician, was a leadership award winner for class 002, and she is a coordinated entry specialist for a non-profit organization that helps the homeless. 

She said her unit selected her to take part in the EROC and she was excited about the opportunity.

“I got asked if I would like to join, and I was like, absolutely, because I have a lot of questions, and probably this will be a place where I'll get them answered,” she said. “I learned that they always say that the Air Force is a small family. Well, my family just got bigger because I met a lot of people from different (Air Force Specialty Codes). Learning how they operate was very interesting. It is different than the hospital.”

At the end of the certificate presentation, Chief Master Sgt. David Jackson, 403rd Wing Command Chief, encouraged the Airmen to share their EROC experience and their knowledge with their co-workers and fellow Airmen. He also encouraged everyone in the audience to do their part as leaders to grow the force.

“As reservists we have limited time here, and it’s about taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to make it a value-added weekend,” he said. “As leaders, we owe them that opportunity and programs such as EROC help Airmen with their transition into the Reserve and throughout their careers.”

In addition to Johnson, Senior Airman Sydney Johnson, 803rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was the distinguished graduate for the course. Also graduating in Class 002: Senior Airman Gabriel Acquah, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth, 403rd Wing Public Affairs, Senior Airman Daiquiri Burton, 403rd Maintenance Squadron, Senior Airman Natalia Euyoque, 403rd MXS, Airman First Class Carah Holden, 403rd MXS, Airman First Class Raachard Holmes, 403rd Force Support Squadron, and Senior Airman Eric Truong, 403rd MXS.

Wing members interested in joining the PDC and assisting with the EROC and 403rd U, should contact 403wg.pdc.training@us.af.mil