OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The James A. McCoy Airman Leadership School at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, was recently named the 2018 ALS of the Year award winner by the Air Education and Training Command.
There are more than 60 ALS’ around the world, which host the first level of Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education in an Airman’s career.
“There is a lot of pride that comes with being labeled the best,” said Staff Sgt. Austin Scheiber, 55th Force Support Squadron ALS instructor. “Now, we need to continue to raise the bar in order to remain on top.”
The primary mission of ALS is to prepare senior airmen for supervisory duties and leadership roles in supporting the employment of air, space and cyberspace capabilities as NCOs.
“What students gain from ALS is entirely dependent on how much they value what is offered here,” said Staff Sgt. Kendall Jackson, 55th FSS ALS instructor. “An instructor’s job is to provide the tools for successful leadership; it’s the student’s job to use and apply them. If the Airmen who go through ALS wish to do well as an NCO, it is vital that they not only learn the material, but learn how to appreciate it in full capacity as well.”
A team of superiors in the chain of command visited each nominated school during the award process. The visitors reviewed how each school was ran and asked questions about their processes.
“Our team winning is proof of what teams are capable of when Airmen value and apply concepts taught here at ALS,” Scheiber said. “I do not think it was one particular thing that made us successful. Our team does a phenomenal job of applying concepts from lessons we teach; practice what we preach, if you will.”
The Offutt ALS staff is comprised of Airmen from various career fields, to include security forces, intelligence, medical, administration, maintenance and training.
Diversity is one of the key qualities that helped us successfully achieve this award, Scheiber said.
“If we all just thought the same way, I believe we would have stagnated a long time ago and would have never won such an award. We’re all still very much individual thinkers who contribute to a really great mission," Scheiber said.