American, Ukrainian NCO academies exchange information

Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Dymekre Allen
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

 

Master Sgt. Etienne P. Tousignant, 86th Force Support Squadron First Term Airmen Course instructor, briefs visitors from the Ukrainian military on the importance of introducing new Airmen to the Air Force and the base March 5 on Ramstein.
Master Sgt. Etienne P. Tousignant, 86th Force Support Squadron First Term Airmen Course instructor, briefs visitors from the Ukrainian military on the importance of introducing new Airmen to the Air Force and the base March 5 on Ramstein.

Members of the Ukrainian military visited the Kisling NCO Academy on Kapaun to continue their professional military education operations and increase their knowledge in enlisted empowerment and leadership, March 3 through 7.

“This opportunity allows us to enhance the relationship by gaining different perspectives, not just between countries but with leaders in both militaries,” said Senior Master Sgt. Amber Mitchell, Kisling NCOA director of education.

The first part of the PME operation concluded in April, when NCOA Airmen visited the Ukrainian academy to gain knowledge on how they conduct operations.

During the visit, they spent most of their time learning about team building and developing NCOs into better leaders. They also learned about the standards
and discipline in Airman Leadership School.

The visit also included Ramstein support organizations, such as the Ramstein Airman & Family Readiness Center, First Term Airmen Course, Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility and the Deployment Transition Center, to further their knowledge of NCO responsibilities and mission objectives.

“Our international engagement with the Ukraine has been an exceptional experience for our students and staff,” Mitchell said. “There is no better way to build relationships with countries than to invite them in and just talk to each other.”

The exchange of information for both militaries helped to further leadership philosophies and pushed both sides to obtain different perspectives in leading and instructional methods.

“I feel as though we are beginning to fulfill their request in building leadership into the (Ukrainian NCOA) curriculum,” said Master Sgt. Karen Atiles, NCOA leadership division superintendent. “I’m so proud to be a part of this partnership building to promote enlisted leadership.”

The Ukrainian visitors concluded their visit with a retreat ceremony honoring our heritage as professional Airmen.