Airman Leadership School honors graduates Published April 3, 2015 By 2nd Lt. Isabel Crump 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.-- -- Class 15-D accomplished a milestone for Vance AFB and themselves when they graduated from Airman Leadership School March 25 at the Vance Club. Sixteen senior airmen, to include four award winners, completed the first-ever ALS class held at Vance. The course lays the foundation for future Air Force leaders. The John L. Levitow Award went to Jeremy Kalik-Underwood, 71st Operations Support Squadron. Eric Ruiz Garcia of the 71st Medical Support Squadron won the Commandant Award. The 71st OSS's Anthony Marple got the Academic Award, and Alisha Jones, also 71st OSS, was the Distinguished Graduate. The class concluded with a graduation banquet, which included skits, dinner and some inspiring words from Master Sgt. Toby Harbuck, 71st Flying Training Wing Aircraft Maintenance COR Superintendent: "Tonight is for you, but tomorrow is for those you serve." "Build better Airmen by instilling that pride," said Harbuck. "Be a better supervisor by challenging yourself and the Airmen you're assigned, and look for opportunities to lead. Don't cook the burgers; organize the picnic." During the 24-day class, ALS students learned the ins and outs of "picnic planning." ALS is the first time Airmen are formally introduced to the responsibilities required to be quality frontline supervisors. Students learned how to provide feedback to subordinates, control a marching flight, and improve written and oral communication skills. The graduates began their training here Feb. 19 as the first level of professional military education required for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant. Also graduating with Class 15-D were: Matthew Garrette, 71st OSS Jovanna Flor, 71st Medical Operations Squadron Eric Salazar, 71st Security Forces Squadron Forise Epps, 25th Flying Training Squadron Sean McGee, 71st SFS Ryan Gast, 71st MDOS Jonathan Leatherwood, 71st OSS Jesus Martinez Scobell, 71st OSS Gaw Mao Mee Champion, 71st OSS Travis Swanson, 71st OSS Dan Mel, 71st SFS "The students were great," said Master Sgt. James Goswick, the ALS commandant. "The base was open and receptive, and everything went really well." The networking and having the Airmen's leadership right here to immediately contact to take care of things during the class were the best things about the class here, said Goswick. Goswick, along with two instructors, are from Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on temporary duty assignment to Vance to guide the senior airmen through the course. For many years, Vance Airmen would travel to Altus to take the class. But that changed on Nov. 21, 2014, when senior leaders from both bases signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows Team Vance to host ALS classes. The MOU is a five-year partnership and will be reviewed annually, said Goswick.