Kunsan ALS Class 10-K graduates

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Wolf Pack graduated its newest leaders from Airman Leadership School Class 10-K during a ceremony Aug. 6 at the base club.

The ALS class was the first one held at Kunsan in six years.

Staff Sgt. Colin Cardwell, 8th Maintenance Squadron, received the Academic Achievement Award and was a Distinguished Graduate. Senior Airman Michael Alexander, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, received the Commandant Award and was also a Distinguished Graduate.

Senior Airman Fabian Hermosillo, 8th AMXS, who pinned on staff sergeant upon graduation, was named the Kunsan ALS Class 10-K John L. Levitow Award winner.

"I'm very happy," Sergeant Hermosillo said. "I was just very motivated to help everyone out and do the best that I could. I was very excited about winning the award; I never thought I would win it. The instructors helped us out tremendously and our classmates all supported each other, so I think they all helped contribute to this."

Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Ludwig, 7th Air Force command chief master sergeant, was guest speaker for the ceremony.

"I looked back in my archives and remember a few things from NCO Leadership School, but one of the things I did really figure out over the years, is that you never really graduate," he said. "This moment in time that we're at today is just a milestone, and as a supervisor, you are always learning. This is just the first step in a very long road that you're going to take."

"There are four things that I think strong leaders really need," Chief Ludwig said. "The first thing a leader must do is live by the (Air Force) Core Values. Not know the Core Values, but live by the Core Values. The second thing is they need to listen. Third is they need to learn how to fail. It's one of the things we don't always do well. And lastly, I think that all supervisors who really capitalize and become a true leader to their Airmen, is they find a way to lead with a controlled passion that inspires and is respected."

Airman Leadership School prepares future non-commissioned officers to be better leaders and supervisors.

"Students are provided with public speaking, interpersonal and writing skills to become effective NCOs," said Master Sgt. Maryann Navarro-Davis, Class 10-K instructor and Kunsan ALS commandant. "They are also taught leadership philosophies, managerial concepts and Air Force culture principles to effectively employ in their work centers. They are given the opportunity here to learn, absorb and develop themselves as future leaders based on lesson principles learned that will further develop and maximize their future subordinates' performance and contribution to mission accomplishment."

Senior Airman Edward Cunningham, 8th MXS, said he learned the difference between leadership and followership, and the dynamics of both.

"I learned a lot about what it takes to be a good leader," he said. "I learned that to be a good leader, you also have to be a good follower."

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Parmley, also a Class 10-K instructor, said he enjoyed teaching the class and his time at the Wolf Pack.

"Teaching is always the fun part," Sergeant Parmley said. "I love seeing the light bulb come on as the students understand the concepts, which the chiefs reiterated and then the first sergeants mirrored (in their panel discussions with the class). I've also been a lot of places, and I like the environment here. You don't see camaraderie at other bases like it is here, and I think it's commendable. It kept many of the students together, even after hours."

As their legacy project, the class purchased and signed a sports jersey they designed, and had it framed to be displayed in the Kunsan Professional Military Education Center, for years to come.