Grissom Airman makes history, graduates from new ALS course

Published Sept. 2, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Dakota Bergl
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Senior Airman Linda Stovall made history when she graduated from the first iteration of a new type of Airman Leadership School on August 26 at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.

The new blended learning course is a combination of both online and hands-on training. The first six week are distance learning via Blackboard and the last two weeks are in residence at McGhee Tyson.

Master Sgt. Deborah Wilson-Strong, 434th Force Support Squadron training technician, said the new course could be a good alternative for Airmen who might struggle with the tradition CDC based distance learning course but can’t spend eight weeks away from home at the on-site class.

“The current distance learning course has a reputation for being very difficult,” said Wilson-Strong. “I think this new course will bridge the gap between distance and hands-on learning and make ALS more accessible to our Airmen.”

Stovall, 434th FSS assistant NCOIC of career development, agreed with Wilson-Strong and said the course was an excellent alternative to either of the prior options.

“I tried to do the correspondence course and it did not work for me,” said Stovall. “I asked my supervisor if I could do the in residence but eight weeks was a little bit too much since I have a kid at home. That’s when I heard about this course option which was perfect because I didn’t have to be gone for so long.”

Stovall said any Airmen who are ready to take the next step and become leaders should sign up for the blended course.

“If you want to learn about being an effective leader and are ready to handle more responsibility and lead subordinates I’d most definitely take this class,” said Stovall. “It is a lot of work but the online portion gives you the flexibility to complete assignments whenever you have time.”

The I.G. Brown Training and Education Center will be holding a second trial for the blended learning course starting in October. There are still openings in this course and those wishing to attend should contact the base education office for more information.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Grissom Airman makes history, graduates from new ALS course

Public Affairs Staff