Inaugural class of civilians graduate from CALT

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The first class of the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program graduated Nov. 7 at Officer Training School's Hoover Auditorium, and the 25 attendees returned to their government jobs with a better understanding of what the active-duty Air Force does.

The course is designed to acquaint civilian employees with military culture and included lessons on Air Force core values, communications, leadership, and team building. Exercises at the Project-X training facility, a war game and presentations by senior Air Force leadership rounded out the course curriculum.

Dr. Charles Nath, Holm Center director of curriculum, said Air University was originally tasked by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley to develop a civilian training program with an OTS-type curriculum. He said until the overall analysis of the first class is completed, the CALT team won't know exactly how successful the training is, but at present, "everything is looking good."

"All indications are the training is going very well," he said. "We started out with high expectations, and it appears it is going better than we expected. The students seem to recognize the importance of what they are learning at CALT and the importance of continuing civilian education for their careers."

During a presentation to CALT students, Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander, told students they were a "beta-test" for a program designed to educate them in a format other than on-the-job training.

"You are part of about 40,000 resident students who come to Air University every year to learn to be better leaders," he said. "Leadership requires balance, and to be a good leader you have to go where you are not comfortable. The point is, if you stay where you are comfortable, you are missing out."

He told attendees the Air Force is unique in that it grooms leaders to promote from within rather than hiring from the outside. The general also presented a list of ineffective leadership traits to include not adhering to Air Force core values; bad attitudes; failure to provide vision; and most importantly, not accepting responsibility.

Joseph McDade, director of Force Development for the deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel at the Pentagon, visited the CALT course on its final day of class and observed the war game exercise. "Civilian force development is a top priority among senior leaders, and CALT is an example of that," he said following the war game. "The program ensures a balanced portfolio of leadership development for all Airmen. Here we have potential civilian leaders who are saying they want to be a part of the Air Force team, and the Air Force is at an historic crossroads with regard to our civilians."

Mr. McDade said he will be able to return to Washington and report that there is a gap between the military and civilians, and he believes CALT will fill it.

"Our enemies can steal our technology, but they can't steal the experience and training these civilians are getting in this course," he said. "I would like to see the students go through the course many times so when they come up against an adversary, they will be able to out-think them."

Jim Wiggins, chief of Curriculum Development for the Reserve Officer Training Corps and OTS said the students have praised the program's content, and all of the feedback he has received is positive.

"Also, across the board, the amount of work that has gone into this training has been phenomenal. Staff members received the task as an additional duty but have treated it as if it were their primary jobs," he said. "We have three more classes scheduled for the first parts of December, February and March, and it is a developmental process. We will tweak the course as we go along and adapt as needed."

During her visit to Project-X, CALT student Valeria Murray, 754th Electronic Systems Group at Gunter Annex, said the program is great because it brings civilians into the military's world.

"CALT is perfectly designed to make you a better leader, and that's what the Air Force is all about," she said. "I've enjoyed the instructors because they are very knowledgeable and bring a lot of experience to the table."

Dale Crew, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance specialist from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., said CALT and the Project-X experience were "fantastic" in large part due to the instructors.

"They have provided me with a lot of resources and tools that I can take back to my workplace," he said. "As for Project-X, the ground challenge it provides is really different from the classroom. It allows you to apply the principles you are taught in the classroom to the mission."

Ricky Lewis, CALT course director, said the first class has gone particularly well.

"I don't know if it is the quality of the students, but for me this has been a pleasure," he said. "The feedback has been positive, and the students have enjoyed staying on campus with military personnel. The only term that comes to mind to describe this class is 'outstanding.'"

Capt. Paul Yuzapavik, a senior instructor and chief of the war game, said he has learned a lot from the students.

"We are all Air Force, but in reality, military members and the civilians don't really know each other very well," he said. "Hopefully, CALT remedies that to a certain extent. I know for me this has been great because it gave me an opportunity to sit down and talk with these civilians and get their perspective."

The captain said the students came to CALT knowing it was an Air Force familiarization program, but he doesn't think they realized the leadership and managerial expectations of the curriculum. When they were confronted with that aspect of the course, it became a real eye-opener for many of the future leaders.

During a panel discussion with current Air Force leadership, Christine Prewitt, 42nd Mission Support Group deputy director, advised the students to "know what you are taking about" when establishing credibility during a first command. Michael Woodard, supervisory human resources specialist for a Maxwell-Gunter tenant organization, agreed, adding they must know their job, their assignment, career field and, in turn, understand military culture.

"If you can do that, it won't matter whether you are a civilian or a military member," said Brig. Gen. Teresa Djuric, Holm Center commander. "Also, finding time for your people when they need you is a huge challenge. If someone musters the guts to ask to talk with you, you need to give them that time to talk."'

In response to a question concerning the challenges civilians face in supervising military personnel, Mr. Woodard said the students need to approach the job as, "one force-one fight," and if they do that, it won't make a difference.

"A really big challenge is understanding the job and measuring up to what is expected of you," he said. "But, training like CALT is a good way to get the knowledge you need to do that."

Following the graduation ceremony, Mr. Crew said the program was terrific, and he especially learned a lot during the war game.

"It almost makes me want to change my career field so I could get involved in more stuff like that," he said. "The war game taught me about force packaging and how to accomplish the mission."

The students completed the war game successfully, and received diplomas from Mr. McDade. He told the group he was honored and humbled to stand before the first graduating class of CALT.

"Did you know you were in the media just about every day? You were noticed by the entire Air Force," he said. "The reputation you have earned here at the Holm Center is outstanding, and for that I thank you. The eyes of the Air Force are upon you."