MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Airmen from the 820th Base Defense Group (BDG) were put to the test in the Tactical Leaders Course, Aug. 5-11, here.
The course was geared toward helping squad leaders improve their ability to plan, create operations orders and lead Airmen in tactical situations.
“It brings in the soon to be, brand new, and seasoned squad leaders from different squadrons and gives them the baseline knowledge of what it takes to be a squad leader,” said Master Sgt. Robert Renfrow, 820th BDG superintendent of training and exercises.
A significant portion of the course revolved around effective mission planning, communication and team building, with the first challenge being public speaking.
“Before the course even started, (course instructors) had a meeting with (the squad leaders) and assigned them lesson plans that were expected to be taught to their peers,” said Renfrow.
Tech. Sgt. Nevin Tauchus, 822nd Base Defense Squadron squad leader, added that he found this portion of the course to be beneficial to his overall teaching style.
“Teaching my peers was a little bit harder than teaching Airmen, but it was important because I was able to get constructive criticism to help me teach Airmen more efficiently in the long run,” said Tauchus.
As the course progressed, participants were able to practice running their missions and operation orders, which culminated in a 36-hour simulated operation that assessed everything the course taught them throughout the week.
Tauchus said he had only been at Moody for two weeks prior to being a part of the Tactical Leaders Course, but it helped immerse him into the 820th BDG and equip him with tools to lead.
“The course helped me improve the way I write operation orders and showed me different leadership styles while employing troops,” said Tauchus.
Tauchus added that not knowing who he was working with served as a challenge for him during the course that ultimately strengthened the team’s ability to communicate.
“Getting to know the Airmen was one of the hardest parts…I could tell from day one everyone was hesitant, but as the course went on we started to build rapport with each other and became more efficient communicators,” said Tauchus.
The course took the skills the squad leaders already possessed and enhanced them to help them become confident in their leadership skills while leading Airmen.
“The course was designed to stress out the squad and fire team leaders and force us to make decisions, but we’re better for it,” said Tauchus.