445th AW Airmen capture top awards at Airman Leadership School

  • Published
  • By Staff Sergeant Robert Nelson
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Three reservists from the 445th Airlift Wing were among 23 graduates at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Airman Leadership School Class 10-E July 7, capturing two of four awards.

Senior Airmen Eddie Mulkey and Justin Staten, both from the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and Senior Airman, now Staff Sgt., Robert Nelson, 445th AW Public Affairs, sat side-by-side with their active duty counterparts.

"At first I was a little surprised that there were three reservists. This was my first time having reserve students," said Staff Sgt. Jason Masiclat, an ALS Instructor who had two of the three reservists in his class.

"I was also excited for the fact that these students will bring something different to the table. I was eager for them to share the Air Force Reserve culture with the class. They shared an operational standpoint that differed from active duty. It helped broaden the class's awareness and knowledge of the Air Force Reserve mission," he added.

Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 445th AW command chief, said she was excited about having three unit members participating in the residence ALS.

"The fact that any of our folks can arrange time off their civilian jobs to attend an in-residence professional military education is commendable and is quite a sacrifice in itself. The 445th AW hasn't had a single Airman graduate in-residence in well over a year, which isn't good, but is understandable with everyone's busy lives," Chief Rogowski said.

The school consisted of 24 rigorous academic days covering a variety of topics including enlisted force structure, Air Force heritage, leader-follower dynamics, global diversity, strategy and doctrine, force readiness, and foreign terrorism. Students had to pass numerous written exams and multiple performance exams. Important skills such as public speaking and interpersonal communication were two of the many skills students mastered.

An added bonus to ALS is the 11 hours earned toward an Airman's Community College of the Air Force degree. In a few cases, ALS helped airman earn their CCAF.

Four awards were also available for recognition to deserving Airmen graduating from ALS.

"Given that we had three wing Airmen attend at the same time, and we took two of the four top awards home with two Airmen is outstanding," Chief Rogowski said.

Senior Airman Eddie Mulkey earned the Commandant's Award and Senior Airman Justin Staten earned the John L. Levitow Award; both are from the 445th AES.

"This is an achievement not known to this wing before now and these two Airmen have set a high standard of excellence bar for our other Airmen to follow," Chief Rogowski said.

Airman Staten was presented the highest ALS award, John L. Levitow Award. This award goes to the student who demonstrates overall superior performance while attending. It denotes both academic and leadership excellence, and it is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate of an enlisted professional military education program.

"As a reservist, I'm very proud to be able to represent the wing by this achievement. To be part of a large base event and represent the wing, it was truly an honor," Airman Staten said. "My peers had a big part in me being selected for the John L. Levitow Award and that means a lot to me," he added.

Airman Mulkey was awarded the Commandant's Award. This award is presented to the student deemed the individual who most influenced the class as a whole to achieve excellence. The award is based on input from the students and faculty. The ALS flight chief makes the final selection.

"I'm proud to have received this award. "[In-residence ALS] really reinforces our military tradition and what it truly means to be professional. I recommend it, and in fact, I believe it should be a mandatory requirement prior to becoming an NCO," Airman Mulkey said.