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ALS builds leaders for life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Gutierrez
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  From basic training to retirement, the Air Force integrates leadership into every rank and position. One of the first levels of enlisted professional military education is to complete Airman Leadership School which prepares them to become team leaders. Through a combination of lecture and exercises, students gain the insight to be the supervisory force the Air Force needs them to be.

For years, Team Shaw has graduated exclusively Airmen to be the next level of leadership and frontline supervisors in their units. However, the skills learned in ALS can translate far beyond the enlisted ranks of the Air Force.

On Nov. 19, the first Senior Master Sgt. David B. Reid ALS U.S. Army and civilian students graduated.

U.S. Army Sgt. Kyser Daniels, 132nd Engineer Detachment geospatial engineer team leader, is the first active-duty Army graduate from ALS at Shaw.

“Seeing the perspectives of other branches on what is expected of a leader is extremely beneficial and helps broaden your perspective,” said Daniels.

Daniels previously attended an Army Basic Leader Course, which emphasizes similar leadership and development skills as ALS.

“Blending ALS philosophies with my Army leadership training will hopefully allow me to become a better leader, and in the future work in more joint environments,” said Daniels.

Also graduating with the most recent ALS class is Mindy Love, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron hazardous material and waste program manager.

“I thought it would be beneficial to see what students go through at ALS and to reacquaint myself with Air Force leadership expectations,” said Love. “When I go out and do inspections in different units across the squadron it will be helpful when interacting and relating with Airmen.”

Daniels and Love both received Distinguished Graduate awards demonstrating exceptional commitment and outstanding performance.

“People are not always born leaders,” said Love. “Learning the skills is really the key part of becoming a leader.”