WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 27 graduates in a ceremony May 9 at the Wright-Patterson Club.
Chief Master Sgt. Marivic-Len Olivera, Space Delta 18 senior enlisted leader, guest speaker and class mentor, congratulated the graduates on achieving one of their most important career milestones while offering what she called “intergalactic enlightenment.”
“As you transition into leadership roles within your service, I encourage you to take a little bit of the Space Force core values with you,” Olivera said. “We call them our four C’s, character, commitment, courage, and connection.”
Olivera crafted individual notebooks emblazoned with the non-commissioned officer rank for each student as a parting gift.
“In this fast-paced world of leadership, where encounters offer an opportunity to learn and grow, having a dedicated space to capture these nuggets of insight is truly invaluable,” Olivera added. “Let the pages of this book be filled with wisdom gleaned from the leaders you encounter, transforming it into a cherished companion on the path to becoming a better, more enlightened you.”
The event was bittersweet as it was the last Wright-Patt ALS graduation that Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88th Air Base Wing command chief, attended before his upcoming permanent change of station. Morales took the moment to recognize Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron ALS flight instructor, for all his time, hard-work, and dedication to the school by presenting him with a command chief challenge coin. This was Soares’ last graduation ceremony before his upcoming PCS as well.
Then Morales introduced Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who was attending his first Wright-Patt ALS graduation since assuming command last month. Richards had visited Class 24-D earlier in April after being on-the-job for only two days. In his comments, Richards reiterated the advice he had given the class that day.
“Go out and lead. Lead with care,” Richards said. “Care for those Airmen and the people in your charge so that when you’re candid with them, when you hold them accountable, and when you have challenges, they’re going to believe that you care about them and they’re going to succeed when you give them that guidance and direction.”
Graduates included Airmen and Coast Guardsmen from Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, 88th Air Base Wing, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, 445th Airlift Wing, National Guard and Coast Guard.
ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture.
ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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ALS Class 24-D
Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)
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Below is the list of graduates and award winners:
71st Intelligence Squadron
88th Comptroller Squadron
88th Dental Squadron
88th Force Support Squadron
88th Medical Support Squadron
88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
88th Security Forces Squadron
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Senior Airman Brooke McKillip
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Senior Airman Xavier Semona
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Senior Airman Trevor Tocci
88th Surgical Operational Squadron
181st Force Support Squadron
445th Civil Engineer Squadron
645th Aeronautical Systems Group
771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron
788th Civil Engineer Squadron
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
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Senior Airman Amber Boatman
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Senior Airman Alexander Otto (Distinguished Graduate)
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Senior Airman Tarney Sooksanguan
U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine
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Senior Airman Kaleb Bottrell
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Senior Airman Julia Fulcher
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Senior Airman Alfredo Gomez
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Senior Airman Virginia Gwinn
U.S. Coast Guard