First-ever ALS class begins at Kunsan Air Base

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Wolf Pack began preparing Airmen for their first non-commissioned officer rank when the first Airman Leadership School class began here July 6.

Thirty-two Kunsan Air Base Airmen make up Class 10-K and will receive the mandatory professional military education required for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant.

"I'm very excited to be attending Kunsan's first ALS class," said Staff Sgt. Elgene Crisostomo, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning technician, who was granted a waiver to pin on the NCO rank. "I'm looking forward to learning more about leadership and becoming a better leader and supervisor."

Because Kunsan did not have an ALS, 8th Fighter Wing leadership was granting waivers to senior airmen with line numbers so they could be promoted, said Chief Master Sgt. James Sanders, 8th Fighter Wing command chief.

"But the number of those airmen grew from just a handful to the 30s," he said. "Without having that training, the stripe is just on your arm; you can't lead anyone, you can't supervise anyone.  So we were promoting them but they were not able to meet the responsibilities required to go with the stripe, and that was setting them up for failure."

Chief Sanders called Pacific Air Forces Command for assistance, and PACAF answered.

Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, Erwin Professional Military Education Center commandant at Kadena AB, Japan, selected two current Kadena ALS instructors to teach the first class at Kunsan: Master Sgt. Maryann Navarro-Davis, who will be the in-place commandant, and Tech. Sgt. Thomas Parmley.

Then the Wolf Pack put together a team to discuss and meet all the requirements those instructors would need, Chief Sanders said.

"We're very fortunate to have the staff here who hustled to welcome us and help us get set up," Sergeant Navarro-Davis said. "We sent our expectations and requirements, and they have all been met. The worst thing we could have is to rush to get ready, but it was all ready for us. Coming here has been a great experience so far."

Sergeant Navarro-Davis said the Erwin staff is excited and feels fortunate to be able to make PME happen at Kunsan.

"We're both seasoned instructors here to help establish ALS," she said. "From here on out, this is hopefully a benchmark to helping PACAF get Airmen through the required training for their next rank."

As command chief and leader of the enlisted force at Kunsan, Chief Sanders is happy Kunsan can now provide the professional education its Airmen require to properly prepare them for their future leadership roles.

"ALS sets senior Airmen up for success," he said. "Being a staff sergeant is the first step in the non-commissioned officer ranks. Part of that is being a leader and setting the standard. We can't give them the opportunity without this education. We wanted to start them here so when they get to their next base, they can be the leaders they need to be.

"This is the first ever ALS class at Kunsan, so it's definitely a milestone in what's hopefully to come," the Chief continued. "I think it's going to be a great event. The whole atmosphere will be something that Kunsan will remember, and I think it's a big step in the right direction for us."