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NCO Academy Grads

  • Published
  • By TSgt John Smith
  • 164SFS/SFSOC
164th Airlift Wing MEMPHIS, TN --  Three members of the 164th AW were among 184 students who successfully completed all course requirements as NCO Academy Class 10-7. The graduation ceremony was held August 12 at Wilson Hall on the campus of I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, TN.

TSgt Readus L. Hudson (MXS), TSgt Michael W. Parson (SFS), and TSgt John J. Smith (SFS) graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, a six-week course that further builds upon the leadership skills needed as Airmen progress to mid career status as noncommissioned officers. It also prepares NCOs for positions of greater responsibility as supervisors, unit managers, and combat leaders.

At the graduation banquet, TSgt Parson received two awards: a Distinguished Graduate award (presented to the students who achieve an overall total score that places them in the top 10% of the student body), and the Paul H. Lankford Commandant's Award (presented to the student who, in the Commandant's judgment, made the most significant contribution to the overall success of the class through leadership and teamwork).

On the second day of training, TSgt Smith was chosen from among fourteen flight leaders as the Class Commander for Class 10-7. The selection was made by a board of senior NCOs after an interview process which included performing facing movements, giving vocal commands, and answering interview-type questions. At the graduation banquet, Smith presented the class gift to graduation speaker CMSgt Denise Jelinski-Hall, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau.