Enlisted 101

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Ortiz, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production NCO-in-charge, introduces himself during the ?Enlisted 101? class Sept. 29, 2015, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Ortiz is one of several NCOs and senior NCOs that teach a class about the enlisted force to company grade officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks/Released)

Enlisted 101

Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, sits in front of a captain Sept. 29, 2015, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. ?The Little Brown Book? is given to new enlisted Airmen to outline their responsibilities by rank. Each company grade officer who attended the Enlisted 101 class on Grand Forks AFB was given a copy of the book to help them understand the enlisted force structure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks/Released)

Enlisted 101

Col. Robert Cook, 319th Air Base Wing vice commander, addresses the Enlisted 101 class Sept. 29, 2015, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Cook explained to the class how important it is to understand the enlisted force to be a better leader. The class consisted of company grade officers and focused on the enlisted force structure and other enlisted issues and obstacles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks/Released)

Enlisted 101: Officers take a look into the enlisted force

Published Sept. 30, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Company grade officers from Grand Forks Air Force Base took part in the Enlisted 101 class Sept. 29, 2015, at the education center here.

Enlisted 101 is class that aims to arm officers with information regarding the enlisted personnel that they supervise and lead, said Senior Master Sgt. Jeri Anderson, 319th Communications Squadron superintendent.

Anderson said the class covers a variety of topics including the Enlisted Force Structure, standards and discipline, key career points, enlisted promotions, evaluations and the Airman Comprehensive Assessment, and a panel with chief master sergeants. She said the panel with the chiefs is always a high point of the class.

Anderson feels the course provides an important tool to younger officers.

"It is critical that our officers understand how vital their enlisted force is to them. It helps in building those relationships with the enlisted," said Anderson. "We are a team and knowing what the enlisted side is responsible for as well as knowing how to take care of the enlisted is so important."

Second Lt. Stephen Brown, 319th Communications Squadron operations flight commander, feels the course offers a good opportunity.

"I work almost entirely with enlisted Airmen and I want to make sure I'm taking care of them properly," said Brown.

According to Anderson, this is the third installment of the course. She said that the instructors have used the feedback from previous classes to continue improving the quality of the course.

Anderson has seen the positive effects the course is providing.

"I've seen officers approach their enlisted differently with more respect and understanding of what enlisted go through after having been through the seminar," said Anderson. "It's helped develop their perspective, which ultimately benefits everyone they lead."

The instructor team consisted of Anderson, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Ortiz, Tech. Sgt. James Richey, Master Sgt. Aaron Holmes and Master Sgt. Tiffany Kuczkowski. They are former professional military education instructors.

Anderson said, as former PME instructors, they enjoy the opportunity to teach and professionally develop the young officer corp.

"As senior enlisted leaders, we are charged with supporting a commissioned officer's continued development by sharing knowledge and experience to best meet their organization's mission requirements," said Anderson. "This is a great opportunity to do that on a larger scale."