ALS Instructors do more than Teach

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Naomi Shipley
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash --  The Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School instructors at Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Wash., spend more than 172 hours in the classroom per class and with more than two dozen students per class and classes starting every six weeks they have done more for the U.S. Air Force than teach thousands of students coursework, they have shaped the future of our non-commissioned officer corps.

There are three 62nd Airlift Wing ALS instructors, Tech. Sgt. James Lee, Tech. Sgt. Justine Doyle and Staff Sgt. Jessica Raab, each have unique backgrounds and experiences and give more to their students than an eight-to-four hour duty day.

The team devotes countless hours to each and every student who walks through their doors with one objective, to give them the tools they need to become great leaders.
The desire to be the change he wanted to see is what led Tech. Sgt. Lee to become an ALS instructor.

"I wanted stronger NCO's," said Lee. "I wanted NCO's to have the courage to give honest feedback and who weren't too scared to make difficult decisions."

Lee said he felt a need for a stronger NCO corps that worked together and lifted each other up.

"I feel like I do my best to emulate exactly how an NCO should be and act to my students," Lee said. "I have spoken with confidence, I've given direction and I did everything the little brown book tells you to do."

The biggest impact he said he has had is one-on-one with his students.
"[This job] made me a better listener," said Lee. "It gave me the ability to step back and empower others."

Lee said this opportunity in his career has become much more to him than a job.

"It's now about finishing something," Lee said. "Our ideology is changing as a force and as an instructor I have first-hand experience of this change."

Raab said her motivation to be an instructor was the perspective it offered her, but it became much more personal.

"I didn't think I would care as much as I do," said Raab. "I want my students to succeed."

Raab said being an NCO is not that hard if you try.

"If you're being a good Airman, than you are being a good NCO," said Raab.
She said being an instructor made her more accountable.

"We have to be what we teach," Raab said. "If not, I will lose my credibility."
Doyle said this job by far has been the best job she has ever had.

"I love the students. I've picked up people skills and I've learned to be a better NCO," said Doyle. "But, the best moments I have had are with the students and the staff.

"We work really well together as a team. If someone needs something, we help each other out. It would be detrimental to the team if we didn't."

Doyle, who has instructed at ALS for almost four years, said her gratification comes from students, who she helped cross the stage, come back and say they've used lessons she taught them.

"ALS is the foundation for being a good supervisor," Doyle said.
Doyle's tenure at ALS is almost up, but she said she is excited to get back to her original career field.

"I want to see how I can give back now," said Doyle. "I've gained this experience and now I want to go back and see what I can do with it. That's the point of it all."

The instructors have learned more than knowledge in professional military education in the U.S. Air Force, they have gained wisdom.

"Because of this job, I have a new outlook on my whole life now," said Lee. "The students have impacted me just as much as I have impacted them."