310th SW hosts NCOLDC at Buckley

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Thip Andrus
  • 310th Space Wing
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 310th Space Wing hosted its first Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course Sept. 12-23 at the 310th Mission Support Group building at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

The 24 graduates represented all of the reserve and active components of the Air Force, including traditional reservists, active guard and reserve, air reserve technicians, Air National Guard, and active duty.

According to 310th Space Wing Vice Commander Col. Mark Hustedt, the variety of professionals brought unique military and personal experience to the 10-day course of college-level instruction in leadership, management and communication.

"This was an absolutely spectacular 10-day NCO Leadership Development Course," said Hustedt. "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 in response to a need 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."

The NCOLDC is administered in two phases. It 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.

After completion of the course, the attendees earn two credits in management from the Community College of Air Force.

Jones said attending 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."