Base PDC provides leadership, supervisory skills to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Whiteman Professional Development Center offers classes to assist Airmen who want to enhance their professional education and prepare to be better supervisors and leaders.

The PDC provides Professional Enhancement Courses to augment and reinforce skills taught in basic military training, technical school and ancillary training. Enhancement courses offered act as a force multiplier with the experience, professional development and mentoring of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen, according to Master Sgt. David Grisdale, 509th Bomb Wing career assistance advisor.

"The overall goal of these courses is to assist in the development of superior front-line supervisors while encouraging supervisory involvement in the education and instruction of base personnel," Sergeant Grisdale said.

The two main courses offered are the NCO Professional Enhancement Course and the Senior NCOPEC.

"Both the NCOPEC and SNCOPEC provide similar instruction," Sergeant Grisdale said. "The SNCOPEC also provides newly appointed master sergeants with an in-depth view of their increased supervisory, leadership and managerial responsibilities."

The NCOPEC target audience is technical and staff sergeants that have completed Airmen Leadership School at least three years prior and have not yet attended the NCO Academy.

"The Senior NCOPEC course was definitely an asset to the attendees," said Master Sgt. Mona Wendzillo, 509th Force Support Squadron Airmen & Family Readiness Center. "The belief is that once you become an NCO or Senior NCO, your level of knowledge on a certain subject should be automatic. That is definitely not true.

"After 20 years and four careers in the military, this class provided me more insight for my position than I have had previously," she said. "Not only were my instructors valuable resources, but my fellow NCOs provided good tools and examples from their perspectives and experiences."

Courses are not limited to Airmen, most of the additional courses offered are open to civilians and dependents as well.

The PDC offers Military Writing, Manpower 101, Team Building and How to Make Yourself Competitive vs. Eligible for Awards for enlisted members, officers, civilians and dependents.

"We have several other courses in the works," Sergeant Grisdale said. "We really encourage everyone to take a look at what we have to offer and improve their skills in every way possible."

For more information or sign-up for a course, register at the CAA Community of Practice Page at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/509caa.