Air University Educational Digest - 2010 (pdf ... - The Air University

SQUADRON OFFICER SCHOOL
(Affiliated with the Spaatz Center)
SOS is a 5-week graduate-level leadership program and is focused at the primary level of PME
for officers. For nearly 60 years, SOS has educated CGOs, teaching them to think analytically
and creatively, to build and lead small teams, and to improve their leadership abilities. The
mission of SOS is to ―Educate, motivate, and mentor Captains as current and future Air Force
Leaders.‖ The curriculum is divided into six modules and is delivered through an engaging
combination of guided discussions in the flight rooms, formal and informal lectures in the
auditorium, and experiential learning events conducted through each class.
SOS offers seven classes per year in order to meet the Air Force requirement of
approximately 80 percent attendance opportunity for line Captains. SOS graduated 2,898
students in FY10, including 90 DoD Civilians and 67 International Officers.
SOS also provides a distance-learning (DL) course, SOS Course 20, for eligible DoD Officers,
Civilians, and Civil Air Patrol members. Course 20 is created specifically for company-grade
officers who cannot attend the SOS resident course, particularly Air Force Reserve and Air
National Guard personnel as the vast majority are unable to attend SOS in-residence. The
program is a self-paced course requiring approximately 120 study hours and provides students
the skills needed to excel in today's world of rapidly accelerating technology and limitless access
to information, while preparing leaders to adapt to the unforeseeable challenges and future risks.
SOS DL Course 20 leverages the web-based Blackboard learning management system to
deliver updated content and scenario-based assessments. There are over 10,400 students
currently enrolled in Course 20.
USAF FIRST SERGEANT ACADEMY
(Affiliated with the Barnes Center)
25
Source of Data: SOC/CCE
Located at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL, the mission of the United States Air Force First Sergeant
Academy is to develop, through education and training, selected senior noncommissioned
officers to serve as advisors to commanders on issues impacting Airmen in successfully
accomplishing the Air Force mission. Approximately 500 Total Force senior noncommissioned
officers attend the in-residence course per year. Completion of the USAF First Sergeant
Academy is a requirement to receive the 8F000 Air Force Specialty Code and prior to wearing
the First Sergeant Diamond Device. Additionally, approximately 1400 senior noncommissioned
officers per year complete the Additional Duty First Sergeant Seminar held at various bases
around the world. All in-resident and seminar course are CCAF accredited and taught by a cadre
of experienced Air Force First Sergeants.
Source of Data: Commandant, USAF First Sergeant Academy