Moody revamps First Term Airmen Course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren M. Sprunk
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As part of an Air Force initiative to develop new Airmen into next-generation leaders, Moody’s 23d Force Support Squadron redesigned the curriculum taught during the First Term Airmen Course.

The new course, which incorporates “Airmanship 300,” is designed to transition Airmen from a training environment to a mission-oriented environment, providing a continuation and development of skills learned during Basic Military Training and technical school.

“One of the priorities for the Secretary of the Air Force is developing exceptional leaders,” said Master Sgt. Jennifer Smith, 23d FSS career assistance advisor. “This course allows us to do that by providing Airmen with the tools they need to grow. The only way to get better is to learn from experiences so if you’re given certain skills at the beginning, the only direction to go is up and you just keep improving.”

The course includes modules from the Enhancing Human Capital course, guiding Airmen through discussions about loyalty and commitment, as well as team-building exercises. In addition, Airmen are introduced to scenarios from the “What now Airman?” series, where they work as a team to find a solution to potential ethical dilemmas.

“I think [Airmanship 300] is definitely an improvement from the previous course, which was more focused on in-processing,” said Staff Sgt. Katherine Harrington, 23d FSS FTAC team lead. “The new course is set up where Airmen are essentially running the course themselves because it relies on their interaction with us. I think that empowers the students and invites them to ask questions and gain knowledge.”

Airmanship 300 is part of the continuum of training. Airmanship 100, or Airman’s week, is taught upon graduation of BMT, and Airmanship 200 is taught during technical training. Two additional courses are projected to be developed for the NCO and Senior NCO Professional Enhancement courses. This Airmanship series is designed to ensure Airmen receive appropriate development at each milestone in their careers.

“The curriculum teaches Airmen to lead themselves and to take charge of their own careers,” said Smith. “You have to be an effective [decision maker] yourself and be accountable in order to lead others so we try to provide those necessary tools they can utilize as Airmen to grow into outstanding leaders.

“I missed out on a lot of things in my career because I wasn’t given the appropriate tools so now we try to give the right information to the right people at the right time in their career,” Smith added.

In addition to developmental lessons, the course gives students the opportunity to network with Airmen outside their career field.

“[FTAC] helped me see beyond my job and look at the bigger picture,” said Airman 1st Class Gabriel Robison, 23d Contracting Squadron contract specialist. “I think it helped us realize that none of us can do our own jobs without each other and it brings different career fields together to work as a team. With that, you walk away with people that are in the same situation as you and you can all grow together.”