Air Force touts benefits of new leadership course

Air Force officials are espousing the benefits of a new course designed to aid future squadron commanders in thriving in command posts.

Air University’s Leader Development Course for Squadron Command is structured as a foundational course that builds on leadership experiences and education, officials said, adding the effort equips potential commanders with the tools to create more effective, adaptive and lethal squadrons.

“Squadrons where people know their purpose, feel part of the team and are trained, empowered and trusted to achieve represent our highest performing organizations,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Hosler, course director for the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development. “These conditions are set by leaders who create the right kind of environment with their people. The Air Force has some of the most highly skilled technical experts in the world, but leadership experts at the squadron level are people who can unleash Air Force capabilities.”

The desire to establish the eight-day course was fostered on the heels of a squadron revitalization survey of nearly 20,000 total force Airmen and spouses in 2017, which determined a common theme among respondents was the Air Force needed to pay more attention to how it develops its leaders.

The Air Force said Leader Development Course for Squadron Command content focuses on seminar-based discussions, practical exercises and case studies facilitated by recently graduated squadron commanders and augmented by civilian experts in leadership, as well as adjunct professors and senior mentors.