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Space wing hosts Total Force NCO leadership course at Buckley

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Thip Andrus
  • 310th Space Wing
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Twenty-four Airmen representing the Total Force graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course here Sept. 12-23. The course was hosted by the 310th Space Wing.

The 10-day course offered college-level instruction in leadership, management and communication to traditional reservist, active guard and reserve, air reserve technicians, Air National Guard, and regular Air Force students.

"This was an absolutely spectacular 10-day NCO Leadership Development Course," said Col. Mark Hustedt, 310th Space Wing vice commander  "It was a great success and a unique learning experience for our Front Range Reserve and active duty Airmen."

The NCOLDC program was developed in 1989 to provide meaningful, challenging leadership training to mid-level enlisted personnel. Unlike the more senior enlisted supervisors, few mid-level enlisted have had the opportunity to supervise in a military setting. This course also provides an educational environment for NCOs to explore current Air Force Reserve Command issues.

Staff Sgt. Conrad Jones, 310th Force Support Squadron, said the course renewed and furthered his knowledge of leadership, as well as taught him a new trick or two as a leader.

"The NCOLDC refreshes many things most leaders know already," said Jones. "But it also gave me very meaningful examples of putting those and other new strategies in place. You develop stronger relationships with people you know and new ones with people you don't."

Administered in two phases, the course combines academic management and leadership instruction, with practical, experiential and hands-on application of military theory. Phase one of the course incorporates leadership, management and military heritage. Phase two includes communication, time management and effective writing.

Attendees earn two credits in management from the Community College of Air Force.

Jones said the course was invaluable for his development of leadership vision and managing style, as well as reminding him of some leadership skills he had forgotten over time.

"I had forgotten the power of a team of leaders," said Jones. "I think I have more ability to identify leaders around me and I plan to spend more time working with them. This course really clarified leadership as a momentum maker more than a manager."