Become a leader somebody would be proud to follow

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The SSgt. Felicia R. Rivers Airman Leadership School educates qualified personnel and civilians alike on developing the skills necessary to become effective leaders in their respective endeavors.

Master Sgt. Shane Flot, ALS commandant, said the school’s curriculum leans toward four areas of focus: mission, leadership, problem solving and culture.

“When it comes to mission, they have to able to communicate their contribution to the wing and Air Force missions,” Flot said. “For leadership, the goal is to collaborate and connect with members of the Air Force team.

“With problem solving, they have to apply cognitive strategies to solve Air Force problems. And finally, with Air Force culture, they have to make sure they exhibit the Air Force core values and instill them in others.”

He said critical thinking training has been a “key determinant” for equipping the most prepared frontline supervisors.

Flot shared the school’s mission statement: “To prepare Airmen to be professional war-fighting Airmen who can supervise and lead Air Force work teams in the employment of air, space and cyberspace power.”

As of January 2021, the ALS began instructing civilians in their programs. Flot said the school has seen about two civilians per class among seven annual classes.

“It has been a huge success,” Flot said. “The reason why we brought that about was that we wanted to extend our impact to our mission partners, build those partnerships and bridge that gap as a total force.”

Interested in attending the ALS?

Military members need to be at least an E-4, have at least 36 months in service or can be a staff sergeant select. By completing the school course, military members can potentially receive educational credit through the Community College of the Air Force.

Civilians can typically be Priority 1 through 3, eligible Air Force or Department of Defense employees and other civilians. They need at least 12 months of time in federal service but no more than 10 years of service, have an acceptable performance rating and individuals must not have been in a supervisory position for more than three years as of nomination due date. They must not have previously attended any enlisted professional military education.

Civilian students receive 192 hours of training and a certificate of course completion. All pay plans are eligible: GS, WG, WL, WS, NK, NJ and NH. Civilian attendees are required to commit to a 12-month Continued Service Agreement upon completion.

On a typical day at the schoolhouse, students begin their class at 7:15 a.m. with either physical fitness or a jumpstart on the lessons for that day. The day is made up of 8-9 learning blocks depending on the course focus, and outside agencies come in to share more information on available resources.

A first sergeant panel, chief panel and NCO panel offer opportunities for students to ask questions in an open forum style.

Currently, the school has 29 students enrolled. These students hold a variety of roles, such as: aircraft crew chiefs, flight line workers, flyers (communications, intelligence), combat communications, air traffic controllers, security forces, vehicle operators and one civilian that provides support for aircraft parts. One member is a linguist from Fort Gordon, and others are part of the reserves or the Air National Guard. Some TDY members come from Alabama and South Carolina.

According to Flot’s research, the ALS was originally dedicated in 1991. Before that time, there was an NCO Academy in a different building on campus that was eventually disbanded.

On Dec. 11, 2012, the ALS was formally dedicated in honor of SSgt. Felicia R. Rivers.

“SSgt. Rivers had epitomized the Air Force core values and demonstrated them on a daily basis,” Flot said. “She was very connected with the Robins Network 56, which is an NCO professional development organization, as well as a local chapter of the Air Force Sergeants Association.”

Flot spoke on his work with the ALS.

“Essentially, my role is to ensure that the schoolhouse maintains the accreditation,” Flot said. “I oversee three instructor staff to ensure that they deliver the curriculum to the students appropriately and make sure that we are providing the tools to prepare our future frontline supervisors.”

He said he collaborates with other squadron and student leadership to make sure students are qualified for the school and appropriately registered to attend.

Flot said his original career field was communications by trade. His three-year tour comes to an end in April 2023.

The SSgt. Felicia R. Rivers Airman Leadership School is located at 785 Tenth Street, Bldg. 944 at Robins Air Force Base. Contact the school by phone at (478) 222-0160. More information can also be found on Facebook by searching the school’s name.

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