Air Force Senior NCO Academy

[MKC Wayne Cox]

I just requested this. Has anyone gone? Can you tell me what your experience was?

Thanks in advance,

Wayne

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Wayne...I attended class 00-A back in 1999. It was great, you'll be glad that you went. When I went (not sure about now) it was regarded as the best service academy. I went with an open mind and got a lot out of it. I looked at it as an opportunity to see how the other half lives and share some perspective on the CG.

I'm u/w this morning, so I don't have time to type anything else. I'd be glad to talk to you more about it. Give me a shout or send an email.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

Wayne, go talk to Chief Keith Basilici, the CMC there at SMTC - I just spent two weeks with him and found that he just went to the last class. He liked it - and I did too, but I went back in 2004.

And if you would be so kind, say "Hi" for me! Keith's good people.

[MKC Wayne Cox]

Jerald,

I'll let Keith know. Thanks for the input

Wayne

[BMCS T. D. Ellis]

Look in the archives. There are a bunch of old links that have some great info.

I went to both the CPOA and the AFSNCO Academy. Enjoyed both but for different reasons. :)

[MKC Wayne Cox]

I'll check that out Senior. I got some good info from one of the Chiefs here at SMTC too. I'm looking forward to attending.

Wayne

[CWO James Crockett (ETC)]

I attended the AFSNCOA in Jan 2004 and it was an outstanding experience. The guest speakers they had were phenomenal, e.g. a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a Marine LT who became a preacher and motivational speaker, and a Vietnam vet who spent 5 years as a POW. For a Coastie, this is a refreshing look at how one of our sister services operates. You'll be amazed at how warped their enlisted evaluation and awards systems are. If you think OUR marks and awards are inflated, wait until you hear about the Air Force's! I had an Army Sergeant Major in my flight (each class is divided into 14-person flights). I found that I had far more in common with the Sergeant Major than I did with the Air Force guys. That surprised him more than it surprised me! The SNCO's in my flight were all sharp, professional individuals who had plenty of experiences to share, all from a different perspective than the Coast Guard perspective, so it made me think more. Our flight had a great instructor (who is unfortunately not there any more). He was a Canadian E-9 who was a real hoot and had a lot to teach aside from the curriculum. If you have the chance to go to the AFSNCOA, or any of the other service's senior enlisted academies, take it! They really have the money and resources to put on excellent training. I considered it far superior to our Chief's Academy (yes, I attended both) for content and experience. I hope this was helpful. If you have any specific questions about the AFSNCOA, feel free to e-mail or call me. I'm in the Global......

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

I went in 2002 and had a great experience. I still correspond with some of the Air Force personnel I got to know.

[MSTC Allen Hughey]

I just graduated from the last class 07A on 21 November 2006. I was a good experience. Had some fun with my Air Force class mates. There was 420 students in our class. Out of the 420 students they broke us down into flights of 15-16 students each. You will have both class room time with your flight and auditorium (coma dome) time with the entire class. You will have to give 3 speeches, write two papers, take a test, and participate in PT. The best advice I can give you is to stay in the box on your speeches and papers. As with any class there was stuff I thought we didn't need, but you still have to attend. Just have an open mind and bear with it.
The Air Force is clueless as to what we do. I had one E-8 ask me why the CG is considered a military service. I set him straight. I was able to share my CG experiences with alot of Air Force personnel.
If you ahve any question I am in global so, you can shoot me an e-mail or call.
Have fun,
Allen

[MKC Wayne Cox]

Thanks for all of the information everyone. I am in the academy now, started on 4 Jan, along with 7 other Chiefs from around our Coast Guard. So far with two days of class under our belts I am very impressed with the professionalism of the staff and our Air Force counterparts in my flight. Everyone has been very open and impressed that I, as a Coast Guardsman, are even here. That surprised me. At any rate, it is academically intense, or looks like it will be, and I am looking forward to sharing our heritage, history, and some of my experiences with my flightmates.

Wayne

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

Hey, you wanna blow their socks off and see some heads explode?? Tell them how we study for our SWE's!! Tell them about the last time you saw a handful of MK2's sitting at the messdeck tables studying for MK1.

"Whaddayamean?!?! They study TOGETHER??"
"But... they're in COMPETITION with each other!!"
"But..." *FOON!!*

I can't wait to get there!!! :D

[MKC Wayne Cox]

We have discussed some of the promotion and eval processes amongst ourselves. Mainly what I get from them in response to our system is, "wow, really, that system sounds better than sitting through a board." Collectively, they do not like the board thing. But, what I have taken from our discussions is that we have some good and not so good in our advancement process and they have some good and not so good in their process. I suppose in a perfect world there could be a perfect process, but we aren't in a perfect world, and some things I think are maybe not so good, someone else thinks are key, so there will always be differing opinions. One thing I think is not so good about their process is that having a CCAF degree now weighs very heavily when their package goes before the board for E-8. From what I'm told,
odds are very strong that they will not put it on without that degree. It's not an official requirement from the Air Force, but when it comes to comparing apples to apples, the one with the degree is getting the nod from the board. Subjective, yes, but it has become an unofficial part of their process never the less. It seems as if their promotion boards are given a little rope in deciding these things, vice following a letter of the regulation sort of situation. I believe strongly that we as senior leaders should strive to become well educated and well rounded, but that it is a personal choice. One should not be penalized, ie not being able to advance, subjectively or not, for choosing not to. I would like to think that working towards and earning a degree simply shows we have initiative and that if our superiors come to us for advice we have the education to formulate a well thought out response based on context rather than knee jerk advice. I certainly don't think that our system should become close to what theirs has. I'm just glad we now have such a generous education and TA program. I will add though that it doesn't look like anyone I've spoken with would have any problem with a board because they have every one taken advantage of their off duty education program and attained at least an associates, most a bachelors, and a couple have masters, with a couple others working on their masters. They seem to have a culture where it seems very important amongst the enlisted to better yourself educationally. Most of the ones I've spoken with though sid they joined the military because they didn't want to go to college but that after they were in and around folks that were doing it they took the plunge and are glad they did.

This is a very interesting and challenging experience. So far, I would recommend it. Although this whole PT thing is not my gig at all. I do not like being forced to put my body through pain. If I'm going to work out I'd rather do it on my own at my own pace. I'll probably feel differntly on the other end though after I've dropped a few pounds and tightened up some.

Wayne

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Wayne...You'll have the opportunity to represent the CG at graduation by participating in the ceremony. Take my advice and volunteer to carry the CG Ensign at graduation...you'll never forget the experience.

[MKC Wayne Cox]

I'm carrying the Standard. Looking forward to it.

It's great to represent the Coast Guard here. These folks are very curious and appreciative of what we bring to the table in the joint arena. Most are unaware that we are in the "AOR" or PATFORSWA for us. It's been fun talking about some of that with them. Not that I've been over there , but they have no idea we are even there. It's been a great experience thus far.