Navy professional military education provides joint training opportunity

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Gino Mattorano
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Senior noncommissioned officers with ambitions for being promoted to chief master sergeant must attend in-residence SNCO Academy, but many would-be chiefs don't know that they can complete the training and broaden their joint-military experience by attending sister-service academies.

Senior Master Sgt. Scott Downs recently took advantage of this unique opportunity to attend the Navy's SNCO Academy in Newport Rhode Island. Sergeant Downs is a command services inspector for the Headquarters USAFE Inspector General office.

"I chose to attend the Navy SEA for a couple reasons," said Sergeant Downs. "First, having already completed Airman Leadership School and the Air Force NCO Academy, I wanted to experience Professional Military Education in a Joint setting. Also, the class size, approximately 100 students, was much more appealing to me than the 400-student class of our Air Force Senior NCO Academy."

The Navy Senior Enlisted Academy is a six-week sister service equivalent to the Air Force Senior NCO Academy, and it's open to E-8s, and E-8 selects. There are 32 seats reserved for Air Force personnel per year and are filled by volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the Navy's website.

Training differences in a joint environment provides an additional challenge to the learning process, but Sergeant Downs said that he had no trouble adjusting to the Navy's method of training.

"The Air Force Blue uniform definitely stood out in a room full of Khaki's, but acceptance into their Chief Petty Officer Mess was immediate," he said. "The staff and fellow students made a concerted effort to bring all students together to share experiences, promote free exchange of ideas, and foster self-confidence and team building," he said. "Naturally, there was plenty of good-natured ribbing involved."

So how does someone apply for a sister-service academy?

"The application process is as easy as a simple volunteer statement signed by you and your Commander," according to Tech. Sgt. Kim Picott, NCOIC of formal training for the 86th Mission Support Squadron. "The Air Force Personnel Center website provides sample application letters, fax numbers and e-mail address for each sister service academy."

Sergeant Downs cautions would-be applicants to be ready to hit the ground running - literally.

"The fitness program at the SEA is very extensive," he said. "Students are required to perform a Physical Fitness Assessment the first week of class, and must pass the final PFA the last week of class in order to graduate. The PFA is very similar to our Air Force standards....sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile timed run. During the six week class, PT is conducted three times a week and students can expect several 3-6 mile runs, and a combination of circuit training/aerobics each week. Also, body composition is measured the first day and again prior to final PFA. However, students who fail to meet minimum standards are disenrolled from the Academy."

Not only did Sergeant Downs complete the program - he excelled at it. Out of 98 students, he was one of 12 named to the Dean's List (equivalent to Air Force distinguished graduates), for academic excellence.

So now that the experience is behind him, would he do it again?

"I would absolutely attend the Navy SEA again and would recommend it to other Senior NCOs, he said. "This is an opportunity to share experiences across all the services, and understand that no matter how different each service approaches common issues, the end results are the same."