HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Nearly 25 junior officers attended a professional development course here April 22-25.

The Lieutenant Professional Development Program, or LPDP, curriculum serves as a way to bridge the professional development gap between an officer’s commissioning source and when they attend Squadron Officer School.

The course included briefings, mentorship, and panel discussions on topics ranging progressive discipline, career broadening, the assignment system, Air Force-specific writing techniques, serving a diverse workforce and more.

According to Capt. Ryan Buck, 75th Medical Group and one of the course organizers, the Company Grade Officer Council oversees the curriculum for the program in coordination with senior leaders on base. He said base’s program is modeled after professional development and networking events CGO organizations host at other installations.

“The curriculum is fluid, but we maintain a thirty-two hour course,” Buck continued. “This program is Air Force Materiel Command-driven, thus we do our best to see that it meets that mission.”

The program received positive feedback from attendees.

Second Lt. Jessica Vander Molen said the panel discussions were most beneficial to her and she received valuable insight from both enlisted and officers about how CGOs can be most effective. She also said she appreciated learning the differences between the military and civilian workforce at bases like Hill Air Force Base.

The next iteration of the program will be held this fall. Buck said a course announcement will be pushed out by email in the weeks before the course is to be held and those interested will be able to contact the council to register.