JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
A former Non-Commissioned Officer Academy instructor and Unit Training Manager at JB Charleston helped the Airman Leadership School continue to run smoothly beginning in May 2017. Master Sgt. Darryl Lane, 628th Medical Group Unit Training Manager, filled an ALS instructor shortage by volunteering to teach at the schoolhouse.
“Over our summer break, Master Sgt. Christopher Hughes, 628th Force Support Squadron ALS commandant and Tech. Sgt. Kaneisha Lipscomb, 628th FSS ALS instructor, got Lane up to speed and qualified to teach ALS,” said Tech. Sgt. Jordan Fiebelkorn, 628th FSS ALS instructor. “We needed him because another instructor just left to be the commandant at Incirlik Air Base.”
Previously, Lane taught technical sergeants at Peterson Air Force Base’s NCOA from April 2012 to April 2016.
“The most significant part of this experience for me was being around airmen versus technical sergeants at NCO Academy. I spent four years hearing about ‘these Airmen now-a-days’ to now seeing first-hand that ‘these Airmen’ are smart, capable and willing to learn,” said Lane. “They want to know and understand the way the Air Force works so they are prepared to be NCOs and front line supervisors in the future. Many airmen hear they ask too many questions and they don’t just do what they’re told without asking why and leadership gripes about how unprepared they are to assume further responsibility.”
Lane continued, “This experience demonstrated to me as leaders we can’t have it both ways. These Airmen are tremendous assets to our Air Force and they should be used in accordance with the charge levied upon them.”
During the five week course, Airmen were taught, mentored and tested on a large amount of content. Being an instructor helps and prepares senior Airmen to be professional, war-fighting Airmen who can supervise and lead Air Force work teams to support the employment of airpower.
“Teaching current and upcoming Air Force leaders is humbling and incredibly rewarding,” said Lane. “The ultimate feeling of satisfaction as a teacher is seeing the lightbulbs come on as students realize what they are capable of after being armed with these invaluable leadership tools. I truly feel like I’m in my element.”
Out of Lane’s 12 students, three received four of the six awards given upon graduation. Lane will continue to fill both roles of unit training manager and ALS instructor.
“I hope to continue to nurture honest leadership amongst all Airmen I have an opportunity to come across,” said Lane. “I want to help people to understand what their true motivation in life is, and how to attain their goals. Helping people realize their potential is what excites me and I hope to be able to do it for a long time.”