Airman Leadership School (ALS) is an approximately six week-long United States Air Force program designed to develop airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education (PME) that enlisted Air Force members encounter.[1] ALS focuses on developing leadership abilities as well as effective communication.
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Eligiblity
Senior Airmen with 48 months time in service or those with a promotion line number for Staff Sergeant. The member must also have at least six months of retainability from the projected class graduation date before being enrolled.
Awards in ALS
- Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon - Mandatory award and wear upon successful completion of ALS.
- John Levitow Award - The highest award presented at the Airman Leadership School, it is presented to the student demonstrating outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities. This award selection is based on overall performance evaluation, academic ranking, and peer and staff ratings. This is the most outstanding student in the class.
- Distinguished Graduate Award - Presented to the next (10% of graduates) person with the highest overall average in all graded areas.
- Leadership Award - Presented to the student who has displayed ALL the characteristics of an effective leader and fostered teamwork within the class.
- Academic Achievement Award - Presented to the student with highest overall average on the evaluations, both objective and performance.
Supervision without SSgt Promotion
Upon completion of ALS the graduate receives the ability to write performance reports on subordinates.Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2618. This allows the graduate the ability to supervise.
Recommendations for students
ALS will cover everything from "The Profession of Arms" to "Communicating in Today's Air Force" and of course, tons of leadership knowledge to take back to the duty section. It is recommended that future students be familiar with the Enlisted Force Structure AFI 36-2618 and the Air Force writing guide, The Tongue and Quill. The course consists of a very straightforward curriculum and deviates very little between different bases. It is also recommended that all uniforms are in serviceable conditions, and the uniform items that were issued to in Basic Military Training are available for use. If you are scheduled to attend this course, make sure all of your uniforms are ready well before the class start date. Four mandatory inspections take place and at any given time instructors can call a no-notice inspection. The four inspections are Service Dress Uniform, L/S Blue shirt, BDU/ABU, and S/S Blue shirt. Instructors may also check to see if the Airman has a white shirt for Semi-Formal uniform or check on their mess dress to make sure it is ready for graduation.
