![Airman Leadership School](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Airman_Leadership_School.png)
Airman Leadership School (ALS) is a 24 duty day (5 week)
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...
program designed to develop airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education that enlisted Air Force members encounter. ALS focuses on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication. ALS was established in the 1990s, replacing the Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Preparatory Course and NCO Leadership School.
Eligibility
Senior airmen with 36 months time in service or those with a promotion line number for
staff sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services.
History of title
In origin, certain senior sergeants were assigned to administrative, supervi ...
are eligible to attend the school. The member must also have at least six months of retainability from the projected class graduation date before being enrolled.
Awards in ALS
*
Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon - Mandatory award and wear upon successful completion of ALS.
*
John Levitow
John Lee Levitow (November 1, 1945 – November 8, 2000) was a United States Air Force (USAF) Loadmaster who received the Medal of Honor for exceptional heroism during wartime. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of heroism while servi ...
Award - The highest award presented at Airman Leadership School, the Levitow award is presented to the student that demonstrates the most outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities. Selection for the Levitow award is based on academic performance and assignment of points by peers and instructors (although it is unclear what weight each category carries in determining the winner).
* Commandant Leadership Award - Presented to the student who has displayed all the characteristics of an effective leader, but is not solely based on academic standings. Depending on class size, one or two students from each flight in the class are selected by their peers and must meet with the Commandant. The commandant is the final determining factor in who is awarded the honor.
* Academic Achievement Award - Presented to the student with highest overall average on all academic evaluations.
* Distinguished Graduate Award - Presented to the next (10% of graduates) person with the highest overall average in all graded areas, and demonstrated a high level of leadership skills.
Supervision without promotion
Upon completion of ALS, the graduate is authorized to write performance reports on subordinates.
This allows the senior airman graduate the ability to supervise without promotion to staff sergeant.
Topics
Airman Leadership School provides training in combat leadership, military professionalism, supervision, verbal and written communication, and group dynamics. A majority of the instruction focuses around various Air Force rules and regulations.
See also
*
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
*
Basic Leader Course
References
{{Reflist
United States Air Force military education and training
Military leadership