Tinker graduates new class of leaders Published Nov. 6, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Leadership is not just supervising Airmen, but inspiring and influencing them to give their best efforts, said Col. Scott Merrell, 72nd Air Base Wing vice commander, as he welcomed the latest graduating class from Tinker's Airman Leadership School to the ranks of Air Force leadership. The 40 Airmen from Class 10-A listened as guest speaker Colonel Merrell urged them to take pride in their Air Force work, to motivate their Airmen and to share their expertise with their colleagues as they take on the role of non-commissioned officers and supervisors. "The heart and soul of our Air Force is not found in the platforms we operate or the technologies we employ," Colonel Merrell said. "It is in our Airmen and their families. The future of our Air Force rests in their hands, and for us to succeed, we must ensure the continued growth and well-being of our Airmen and their families. And now, as you become supervisors, that task is yours." Begun in the early 1980s, ALS is the first step to becoming a non-commissioned officer. Those earmarked for promotion to staff sergeant must successfully complete the course, which is also open to Senior Airmen with more than 48 months of service who may be in a supervisory role of other airmen. Successful completion of the course provides graduates with 10 hours of college credit for the Community College of the Air Force. One of more than 80 ALS facilities around the country, Tinker's school graduates between 270 and 300 students per year. Colonel Merrell told class members to take pride in the Air Force and the work they do, regardless of what the work might be. All of it, he said, contributes to the success of the Air Force. "We can't put the thunder in the sky without you...and you make a difference each and every day," he said. "As a supervisor, it's going to be your job to teach that to those you supervise." Motivating Airmen is an essential part of leadership, Colonel Merrell continued. "General Dwight D. Eisenhower said that 'leadership is getting someone else to do something that you want because that's what they want to do,'" Colonel Merrell said. "That's motivation, being able to convince others that they have a reason to work harder, do more and succeed as well." Colonel Merrell also urged the graduates to continue their professional education and to share their experience and expertise with their fellow Airmen, both subordinates and superiors. "That's a part of your role as a supervisor today -- to help us grow and build the supervisors of tomorrow," he said. "You will make a difference." Senior Airman Marcus Magnant of the 552nd Air Control Networks Squadron earned the coveted John L. Levitow Award for academic excellence, leadership and military bearing. The award is named for Vietnam War hero Senior Airman Levitow, the lowest-ranking Airman to win the Medal of Honor. Senior Airman Evan Henderson of the 34th Combat Communications Squadron won both the Academic Award as the top academic scorer and the Distinguished Graduate Award for academics, performance and leadership. Senior Airman Jose Zayas Zambrana of the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron and Senior Airman Matthew Eller also won the Distinguished Graduate Award for their work during the course. Staff Sgt. Sherwin Lockridge of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron won the Leadership Award for making significant contributions and demonstrated leadership, attitude and initiative. For many, ALS is the first step in obtaining an associate or higher degree. Successful completion of the course includes 10 hours of college credit for the Community College of the Air Force. Graduating class 10-A from Tinker's Airman Leadership School 31st Combat Communications Squadron Senior Airman George Carameta Senior Airman Johnny Dao 34th Combat Communications Squadron Senior Airman Evan Henderson Staff Sgt. John Long 72nd Security Forces Squadron Staff Sgt. Randolph Bowers Senior Airman Andrew Freeberg Staff Sgt. Kristopher Gathright Senior Airman Erin Kinney Senior Airman David Langston Staff Sgt. Sherwin Lockridge Senior Airman James Meadows Senior Airman Erika Osorio Senior Airman Melissa Salazar Senior Airman Charles Shumpert 349th Recruiting Squadron Senior Airman Michael Tieyah 552nd Air Control Group Senior Airman Fraynel Mercado 552nd Air Controls Networks Squadron Senior airman Kymberly White Senior Airman Marcus Magnant 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Jason Andreski Senior Airman Robert Barkman Senior Airman Chrystopher Beck Senior Airman Michael Bigler Senior Airman Bradley Brown Reginald Felton Senior Airman Steven Harper Senior Airman Zachary Jeffrey Senior Airman Justin Skidmore Senior Airman Kelly Shields Senior Airman Christopher Tharp Senior Airman William Zumwalt 552nd Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Matthew Eller 552nd Training Squadron Senior Airman Kristen Donaldson 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron Senior Airman Christopher Altenbaumer 964th Airborne Air Control squadron Senior Airman Dennis Nixon Senior Airman Jose Zayas Zambrana 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron Senior Airman Laurence Gray Staff Sgt. Tony Milazzo Senior Airman Steven Neitzer 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron Senior Airman Jason Henry Senior Airman Christopher Monroe