Griffin Academy bridges the gap between NCO and SNCO leaders at Grand Forks AFB

Airmen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing conduct a rank-and-file exercise while attending Griffin Academy at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., March 11, 2025. The Airmen had to line up in order of rank promotion date without speaking, in five minutes or less. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Griffin Academy bridges the gap between NCO and SNCO leaders at Grand Forks AFB

Airmen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing enter a period of discussion while attending Griffin Academy at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., March 11, 2025. Discussion periods filled many of the class periods, allowing each Airmen to voice thoughts, concerns and share ideas of each subject. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Griffin Academy bridges the gap between NCO and SNCO leaders at Grand Forks AFB

Master Sgt. Kathleen Benoit, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent, instructs Griffin Academy students at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2025. The first class was the wing commander’s perspective class, engaging Airmen by challenging them to think as the leader of the entire base. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Griffin Academy bridges the gap between NCO and SNCO leaders at Grand Forks AFB

Master Sgt. Kathleen Benoit, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent, instructs Griffin Academy students during the opening class at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., March 11, 2025. The opening class had Benoit explain the lesson plan and expectations for the students as they take the course. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Griffin Academy bridges the gap between NCO and SNCO leaders at Grand Forks AFB

Published April 14, 2025
By Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer
319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

The Griffin Academy classes were held Jan. 19 - Mar. 17, 2025, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., by Senior Master Sergeants across the base which aims to augment the skillsets of non-commissioned officers on their journey to become senior non-commissioned officers of the world's greatest Air Force.

The Griffin Academy is a series of classes geared towards subjects that are not explicitly covered in other courses such as Airman Leadership School and looks to prepare Airmen to rise to the challenge of becoming Master Sergeants and beyond.

Classes offered include work/life harmony classes, finance classes, scenario-based leadership classes and many more.

"We think it’s important to cover things that our young leaders may not have learned in their classes or CBT’s that they have to take every so often,” said Senior Master Sergeant Desmond Boyd, 319th Force Support Squadron senior enlisted leader. “Every class and teacher has been hand-picked and every lesson hand-crafted for these young leaders. There’s also a chief’s and commander’s panel for them to ask any and every question they could think of.”

The course contained 10 classes held over the course of 10 weeks, allowing the Airmen to mull over and retain the knowledge they collected.

Each different class and instructor applied a different method of teaching, and each day the students went home with many new questions and perspectives on their work as a leader in their community.

“We wanted to provide a venue where they can vent out and discuss the ideas going on in their head, any concerns about how they’re going to lead and answer any questions they could think of,’ said Senior Master Sgt. Scott Allen Duncan, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit superintendent. “A lot of things that this class offers, if students take full advantage of it, is that it springboards them into what senior non-commissioned officers did and how they operate.”

At the end of the course, 14 Airmen graduated with newfound confidence, purpose and were ready to continue their journey to becoming senior non-commissioned officers, armed with new knowledge and a keen insight in the tasks awaiting them.