WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 26 graduates in a ceremony June 26 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Chief Master Sgt. Jose Alvarez, the command aircraft manager at Air Force Materiel Command, guest speaker and class mentor, emphasized to Class 25-E the importance of understanding the “why” and the motivation for serving.
“Why do you show up every day, even when it is hard? Your “why” will shift over time. Maybe it’s your family, maybe it is a personal mission,” Alvarez said. “But no matter what it is, the reason is to be close to your heart. We don’t risk our lives for material things, we do it for people, for purpose.”
“Let your “why” push you to go the extra mile. Let it drive how you lead and how you set standards,” he continued. “As new supervisors, I challenge you to get to know your everyone’s “why.” You will gain insight, trust, and loyalty that no regulation or checklist can match.”
Alvarez encouraged the new graduates to support each other while continuing to lead with integrity. Lastly, he congratulated the newest graduates and offered three words to carry with them as they lead: humility, courage and credibility.
The event was also Tech. Sgt. Ryan Amell’s last ALS graduation as an ALS instructor. Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief. Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief, took the moment to recognize Smith for all his time, hard-work, and dedication during his special duty tenure.
Graduates included Airmen, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen from Air Force Materiel Command, 88th Air Base Wing, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Air National Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture.
Below is the list of graduates and award winners:
76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron
Sgt. Guillermo Cepeda (Academic Achievement Award)
88th Air Base Wing
Senior Airman Cindy Soto Mendez
88th Communications Squadron
Senior Airman Westen Domke
Senior Airman Richard Tiongson
Senior Airman Julien Zamora
88th Dental Squadron
Senior Airman Kennedy Brown
88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron
Senior Airman Hayley French
88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
Senior Airman Bradley Chambers
Senior Airman Marlae Davis
Senior Airman Rachel Scott
88th Inpatient Operations Squadron
Senior Airman Cheyenne Schefke
88th Medical Support Squadron
Senior Airman Kayli Loo
88th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Sophia Tchupyk
Senior Airman Amber Fane
115th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman Matthew Bartz
183rd Force Support Squadron
Senior Airman Amelia Davidsmeyer
Air Force Institute of Technology
Senior Airman Samuel Kaut
Air Force Materiel Command
Senior Airman Madeline Young
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
Senior Airman Alexia Archuleta
Senior Airman Sara Hallstein (Leadership & Distinguished Graduate Award)
Senior Airman James Eggers
Senior Airman Jaydon Kochevar
Senior Airman Michael Paige (John L. Levitow Award)
Senior Airman Matthew Ridenour
U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine
Senior Airman Angelo Ramos
U.S. Coast Guard
Petty Officer 2nd Class Alaina Mullnex (Distinguished Graduate Award)