Leadership development course tested at JB MDL

Published March 30, 2015
By 2nd Lt. Rachel Salpietra
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was one of three bases to host a trial version of Air Mobility Command's new Flight Commander and Officer-in-Charge Leadership Development Course March 23-26, 2015, at the Timmerman Center here.

The course is in its "beta" phase, according to Maj. Adam King, Commander's Action Group, and focuses on creating a new and standardized way of training company grade officers in those positions.

The beta course also took place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Participants included flight commanders and representatives from each AMC base.

Gen. Darren W. McDew, AMC Commander initiated the program to improve training among new leaders.

Commanders are entrusting these new leaders with the most important job in the Air Force - the responsibility of leading Airmen, said McDew.

"This [program] should hopefully close that gap between what we hope or assume or expect somebody's going to get [with on-the-job training] and what they're actually going to get to be prepared for that role," said Lt. Col. Nick Leonelli, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron commander and course facilitator.

The course includes both panel- and lecture-oriented training. It discusses the responsibilities of a flight commander or OIC; the use of helping agencies, like Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Agencies; targeted leadership skills; personal and unit development; managing Airmen and more.

One panel allows participants to ask questions of senior leaders and allows senior leaders to share their experiences.

One of the important takeaways for this course is to understand the importance of interpersonal relationships and providing honest feedback, said Capt. Todd Downs, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations officer and course co-facilitator.