Eielson first sergeant goes to sergeant major school Published June 8, 2011 By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- One of Eielson's first sergeants will not only represent Eielson, but the entire Air Force at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in August. Master Sgt. Michelle Martin, 354th Maintenance Group first sergeant, was selected to attend the nine-month USAMA, held at Fort Bliss, Texas, in lieu of attending the Air Force Senior NCO Academy at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Professional Military Education is a staple in the Air Force and is designed to help airmen acquire the management and leadership skills they will need to be successful at each step of their careers. The Air Force Senior NCO Academy is a seven-week course intended to prepare master sergeants and senior master sergeants for the increased leadership and management responsibilities of chief master sergeant. However, SNCOs are also allowed the opportunity to attend a sister-service course of equal value. "I've known a couple of people who have gone to sister service academies, nobody that has ever gone to the Army one," said Sergeant Martin. "They all say it's a cool experience to see how the other services do things, especially with the way we're going with joint operations in the AOR." "I think this is going to be an awesome experience for me," she added. The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy is a preparatory PME for Army E-8s who are in line to become Command Sergeant Majors. It provides them with "big picture" information that meets the challenges of full spectrum operations instead of the unit level education the AF SNCO course provides. They learn at the operational level because they're getting ready to become command sergeants major. The opportunity for Air Force senior NCOs to attend this course is slim; there are four available slots, two for active duty members, one for the Air National Guard and one for the Air Force Reserves. "There was a strict criterion on the message for the requirements to nominate, to include a small DEROS window. [Sergeant Martin] met the criteria and I knew she would excel at this opportunity if she chose to accept the nomination," said Chief Master Sgt. Carrie Wiesner, 354th Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "As I had hoped, she accepted and is excited about the opportunity." Senior NCOs are nominated but must meet several requirements to be accepted. The request is channeled up their chain of command and sent to their Major Command. Once the MAJCOM has approved, it is sent to the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force for selection. Airmen must also be able to pass the Army physical fitness test. The academy is much like the Air Force in its goal to educate senior enlisted leaders by effectively delivering Professional Military Education designed to enhance knowledge, skill and ability and reinforce a war fighter's ethos. "The academy will give her another aspect of the armed forces and [she will] gain valuable information on the Army leadership," said Chief Wiesner. "I think this is an excellent opportunity for her." Another thing emphasized during the nearly year-long course is education -- encouraging senior NCOs to finish their civilian degrees, if they haven't already. "Once they leave there a lot of them are going to command sergeant major slots, and if you look at our command chief, they're extremely busy," said Sergeant Martin. "I'm looking forward to finishing my master's degree while I'm there." Pursuing a higher level of both military and civilian education is highly encouraged in the Air Force and is emphasized through joint training opportunities like this.