Life as an Airman Leadership School Instructor

(Tech. Sgt. John Payne has been a Misawa Airmen Leadership School instructor for the last eight months. Yesterday marks his third class to graduate)

What a past five weeks! Another ALS graduation where 23 students walked across the stage to become first line supervisors with responsibility of molding young Airmen. To be an ALS instructor is a lot of hard work and dedication but its all worth it in the end. To see an accomplishment of having the newest leaders of the Air Force ready and willing to take on that responsibility with all of their leaders and supervision in attendance is a symbol of passage. I still can’t believe that I get paid to do this at all, much less do it seven times a year.

As mentioned, it comes with hard work. The countless hours of preparation, grading papers, handling student issues and being able to do it every single day is tough. Obviously, it is a bit different than many career fields, but none the less, still very tough. The organization, coordination, and communication are paramount amongst a staff of four that are willing to do whatever is necessary to get these Airmen ready (and motivated) to become the next generation of Air Force leaders. Nights like last night, make it all worth it.