News

In-residence PME opportunities increase

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Madelyn McCullough
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Like clockwork, too many Reservists overlook the prospects of attending in-residence Professional Military Education courses. Here, the 446th Airlift Wing alone from 2014 to 2015, only 30 percent of Airmen completed their PME requirements via in residence.

Rather than heading to Airman Leadership School, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, or Senior NCO Academy, the other 70 percent used personal time to complete them via online correspondence.

In October 2014, Air Force Reserve Command and the 446th Force Support Squadron Education & Training Office took measures to turn those statistics around.

"AFRC has increased its quotas from 450 seats to almost 900 for Airman Leadership School in Fiscal Year 2016," said Senior Master Sgt. John Besselman, 446th FSS chief of Training. "Here at McChord in particular, we didn't have a lot of quotas. This year they have set aside 20 seats at the Julius Kolb Airman Leadership School (here) for our members in the 446th Airlift Wing."

Besselman said he believes this is a great opportunity and he hopes more Reservists attend their PME in-residence instead of exclusively fulfilling them by correspondence.

"It's more than just completing the coursework," Besselman said. "It's networking and team building."

When Airmen attend ALS, NCOA, and SNCOA, they are working with anywhere from 30 to300 Airmen, he said. This type of environment allows for a different perspective and shared experiences and students learn a lot from other people and a lot about themselves.

In March 2016, Reservists who wish to attend NCOA and SNCOA will be required to complete a two week long course before attending an in-residence program. However, Reservists only need to complete the online course to achieve the PME promotion requirement. This prerequisite raises concerns.

"There will be plenty of people who will do the online portion, and they'll be satisfied with that and move on," said Tech Sgt. Steven Lignon, 446th FSS assistant chief of Training. "I think the best and brightest will want to take that extra step and do in-residency."

For those who decide they want to sign up for an in-residency program, the Education & Training team strives to make this process as user friendly as possible.

"We want to take the very best care of our members and sometimes seats are limited," Lignon said. "It's important our members are proactive and submit their (application) packages as quickly as possible, so they can get the seats that are still available."

Reservists have external obligations, including civilian careers, school, and family responsibilities, which limit their availability for in-residency programs. The Education team recognizes these factors, and wants people to know proper planning can make all the difference.

"If you want to go to ALS (NCOA, or SNCOA), even if you're six months from being eligible, put in a package," Besselman said. "Lignon can forecast six months from now. That way you'd be able to forecast without your family, and your unit."

To start the process, a PME In-Residence Checklist is available on the SharePoint under "Education & Training Flight."

"Any member can access it and fill it out," Besselman said. "It's generic for ALS, NCOA, and SNCOA. The Airman fills out as much as they can, goes through his or her supervisor, unit training manager, and commander, then meets with the command chief at the end and he gives the final signature before that package comes to us."

Chief Master Sgt. Tony Mack, 446th AW command chief, has set aside time on Sundays of UTA weekends to meet with prospective in-residence candidates. His office is open at 10 a.m. for ALS and at 10:30 a.m. for NCOA and SNCOA.

Informational forms concerning details about both distance learning and in-residence courses can be found on the information board outside the Training office or on the SharePoint. These details include items, like time-in-service windows, eligibility, how to enroll, and more.

For more information, contact Education & Training at (253) 982-5434, DSN 382-5434.