Joint Base Flight Commander Course enhances officer management skills

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christine Groening
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force flight commanders from around the U.K. came together Oct. 25-26, 2018, at the RAF Mildenhall Professional Development Center for a Joint Base Flight Commanders’ Course.

 

The course is held quarterly and is intended to provide new officers and commanders information on how to effectively lead and manage enlisted personnel.

 

“At the flight commanders’ course we’re given the information to learn non-judicial punishment and the Article 15 process,” said 2nd Lt. Jordan Newman, 48th Munitions Squadron material flight commander and joint base flight commanders’ course project manager.

 

“This is the first time in my one year active duty that it has been explained to me how progressive discipline works. It’s also the first time that I learned about manpower. Normally that’s something discussed on an as-needed basis, and when it does arise, it’s at the senior master sergeant or flight chief level. Where you would normally wait for the opportunity to arise, the flight commanders’ course presents those opportunities for you to learn about them.”

 

Courses on time management, process improvement, writing performance report and rewards were also included. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions from leadership at all levels several times during the course.

“It’s really helpful getting to ask the squadron commanders, ‘What do you wish you had known when you were a flight commander?’ – just having them share lessons learned and leadership tips is helpful to everyone,” said Capt. Lauren Westover, 100th Air Refueling Wing chief of military justice joint base flight commanders’ course project manager.

 

She added the course is also a great way for new officers and commanders to make connections.  

“One of the things I enjoy about these courses is getting to meet other people,” Westover said. “I think it’s also good to learn all of these things, but to also make those connections to get things accomplished.”

 

Keeping RAF Mildenhall officers ready ensures Team Mildenhall Airmen are taken care of and the mission is accomplished effectively.