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Scott lieutenants learn the art of leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/2/2006 --  From the very start of a person's military career, the word "mentor" becomes ingrained as the foundation of successful leadership, and at Scott Air Force Base, a special program is in place to give new officers the cornerstone of that foundation.

The Officers Awaiting Professional Training program takes newly commissioned second lieutenants and assigns them to various duties around the base where they can develop a mentoring relationship with leaders who offer experience and wisdom as well as guide the lieutenant's development both personally and professionally.

The lieutenants come from all commissioning programs including the Air Force Academy, the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officers Training School. They come from many different backgrounds, but they are all on the path to becoming future Air Force leaders.

The OAPT program is run by the 375th Operations Support Squadron for lieutenants who are awaiting a seat for undergraduate pilot and navigator training and can last from a few months to more than a year.

While in the program, the lieutenants serve as executive officers for commanders, special project officers and pretty much any position that offers on-the-job experience with senior leader's supervision - and that's where the mentorship comes in.

Four fresh-faced second lieutenants currently assigned to the OAPT program may appear to many people like they should be attending a high school homecoming instead of wearing a military uniform, but these young officers have found that maturity develops by learning from everyday experiences and lessons.

Second Lieutenants Kevin Stockdill, Julia Mahaffey, John Schade and Sarah Hoelscher arrived at Scott in late summer, and while they interact with each other daily, their experiences in the OAPT program so far has given each of them a varying perspective on the different facets of leadership.

Lieutenant Stockdill is currently assigned as an executive officer to Lt. Col. David Schroeder, 375th OSS commander. One thing the lieutenant has learned from his short time in the Air Force is that leadership lessons come in many forms. "We're lucky to have Colonel Schroeder as one of our mentors," Lieutenant Stockdill said. "He expects us to look for both good and bad leadership traits in people, and to learn from things that we should, and shouldn't, do as leaders ourselves."

The lieutenants have learned that senior NCOs are also good sources of mentorship. "The first sergeant has taken all of us under his wing and tells us 'how it really is,'" said Lieutenant Schade. "Were not only learning about important administrative issues, but how to be an effective leader for enlisted people as well. We are also learning how senior NCOs reflect the commander's leadership and ideals."

In addition, the OAPT program offers lieutenants an opportunity to become well versed in things like the Virtual Military Personnel Flight, My Pay, Leave Web and the Defense Travel System. In turn, they will be in a position to help other new Air Force members transition to the military lifestyle.

"There's a big difference in the attitude and leadership style between civilian companies and the Air Force," Lieutenant Hoelscher explained. "In the Air Force, we're surrounded by people who share common values in the military, and that helps build trust."

The OAPT program covers a wide range of mentorship areas including career guidance, professional development, leadership, Air Force doctrine and core values.

Once the Lieutenants leave for Undergraduate Pilot or Navigator Training, followed by training on a specific airframe, they will move on with their careers - progressing in rank and earning greater responsibilities and leadership roles. "We all look forward to moving on to our flight training, but the mentorship program here is teaching us how to have a realistic view of how to reach our own leadership potential," Lieutenant Mahaffey said. "It helps us learn how to identify a good mentor, and develop our own skills as positive role models."