HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Starting this week, the Hill Airman Leadership School will begin accepting nomination packages for eligible civilian employees to attend the 6-week/24-day course. This Total Force initiative will blend senior airmen — specifically active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve — with civilian employees during the first step of enlisted professional military education (EPME).
What is the purpose of ALS? This course prepares senior airmen (E-4) to be front-line supervisors who can lead individuals and Air Force teams in support of the Air Force mission. The course focuses on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms and building effective communication.
Am I eligible to attend? Eligibility is as follows:
• APF career appointment, career-conditional appointment civil servant, or NAF employees
• Twelve months to eight years time in federal service, in good standing
• Grade levels: GS 4-9; NF 3-4; NH II (entry level in their career); NJ I-II; NK I-II; WG 1-11; and WL 1-10
• Applicants must be physically able to successfully perform, based on gender and age group, the Air Force Fitness Assessment per AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program
• Applicants must not have previously attended EPME, any service branch
Why should I attend? This course broadens a civilian employee’s knowledge of the military profession while learning leadership skills and strengthening their ability to lead, follow, and manage individuals and teams. The knowledge gained through this course not only provides a background on how to supervise military but it also enhances skills for supervising civilian employees. Throughout a civilian employee’s career, there may be opportunities to lead both enlisted members and civilian employees, but civilian leaders are not offered the same supervisory education that the military members they supervise are offered.
Is this a mandatory course? No; this is strictly voluntary.
Will I be compensated? For regular duty hours, employees will receive their ordinary compensation. Since this is a voluntary course, for any required off-duty non-classroom reading, projects, study sessions and activities, civilian employees will not receive compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 5 CFR 551.
Do I receive any credit for attending this course? Upon completion, attendees will receive 192 hours of training credit, which will be annotated on the individual’s record. All civilian attendees are also eligible for EPME awards.
Do I continue working at my primary job? No; attendees are considered TDY for the purpose of not being required to also work their primary job. There are no TDY compensation costs.
Do I have to wear a military uniform? No; attendees will wear civilian equivalent clothing.
Will I have to march? Yes; civilian attendees are expected to participate in all aspects of the course just like their military counterparts to include marching, physical training, briefings, counseling sessions, and flag ceremonies.
What do I do if I am interested? Go to the ALS SharePoint site at https://cs.eis.afmc.af.mil/sites/OOALCDPOPS/HillAFB_FD/FSDA/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx for information and templates.
When is the first class I can attend? ALS Class 17-G starts Aug. 10 with a civilian orientation on Aug. 9.
What is the deadline for submitting a nomination package? All completed nomination packages are due to the ALS org box 75FSS.FSDA@us.af.mil by June 30.
Will I have to be interviewed? Yes; after June 30 the ALS Civilian Selection Board will meet to review packages, interview nominees, and select attendees.
When will I know if I was selected? Individuals will be notified no later than July 10 of selection and non-selection.
If I am not selected for the August class, do I have to submit a package for each future class? No; packages will remain on file for a period of six months unless pulled by the nominee or nominee’s unit.
