Wright-Patt gathers to honor ALS Class 24-D graduates

  • Published
  • By Daniel Peterson
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 27 graduates in a ceremony May 9 at the Wright-Patterson Club.  

Chief Master Sgt. Marivic-Len Olivera, Space Delta 18 senior enlisted leader, guest speaker and class mentor, congratulated the graduates on achieving one of their most important career milestones while offering what she called “intergalactic enlightenment.”  

“As you transition into leadership roles within your service, I encourage you to take a little bit of the Space Force core values with you,” Olivera said. “We call them our four C’s, character, commitment, courage, and connection.”  

Olivera crafted individual notebooks emblazoned with the non-commissioned officer rank for each student as a parting gift.  

“In this fast-paced world of leadership, where encounters offer an opportunity to learn and grow, having a dedicated space to capture these nuggets of insight is truly invaluable,” Olivera added. “Let the pages of this book be filled with wisdom gleaned from the leaders you encounter, transforming it into a cherished companion on the path to becoming a better, more enlightened you.” 
 
The event was bittersweet as it was the last Wright-Patt ALS graduation that Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88th Air Base Wing command chief, attended before his upcoming permanent change of station. Morales took the moment to recognize Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron ALS flight instructor, for all his time, hard-work, and dedication to the school by presenting him with a command chief challenge coin. This was Soares’ last graduation ceremony before his upcoming PCS as well. 
 
Then Morales introduced Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who was attending his first Wright-Patt ALS graduation since assuming command last month. Richards had visited Class 24-D earlier in April after being on-the-job for only two days. In his comments, Richards reiterated the advice he had given the class that day.  
 

“Go out and lead. Lead with care,” Richards said. “Care for those Airmen and the people in your charge so that when you’re candid with them, when you hold them accountable, and when you have challenges, they’re going to believe that you care about them and they’re going to succeed when you give them that guidance and direction.” 

Graduates included Airmen and Coast Guardsmen from Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, 88th Air Base Wing, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, 445th Airlift Wing, National Guard and Coast Guard. 

ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. 

A large group photo of a graduating class of Airmen with two leadership personnel

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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A group photo of Airmen holding award plaques with two leadership personnel.

ALS Class 24-D

Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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Chief Master Sgt. Morales and Tech. Sgt. Soares pose for a photo together

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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A large group photo of a graduating class of Airmen with two leadership personnel

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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A group photo of Airmen holding award plaques with two leadership personnel.

ALS Class 24-D

Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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Chief Master Sgt. Morales and Tech. Sgt. Soares pose for a photo together

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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A large group photo of a graduating class of Airmen with two leadership personnel

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 24-D pose for a group photo with Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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A group photo of Airmen holding award plaques with two leadership personnel.

ALS Class 24-D

Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 ABW command chief, pose with the award recipients during the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airmen Leadership School Class 24-D at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. Class 24-D completed a five-week course that prepares staff sergeant selects for the leadership responsibilities that come with their new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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Chief Master Sgt. Morales and Tech. Sgt. Soares pose for a photo together

ALS Class 24-D

Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, 88 Air Base Wing command chief, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Andrew Soares, 88th Force Support Squadron Airmen Leadership School flight instructor, during a graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, May 9, 2024. This was both Morales and Soares' last Wright-Patterson ALS graduation ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)

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Below is the list of graduates and award winners: 

71st Intelligence Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Trent Black 

88th Comptroller Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Tommy Lee Jones III (John L. Levitow Award) 

88th Dental Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Brandon Robertson 

88th Force Support Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Kyshaun Dent 

88th Medical Support Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Gerlyn Allen 

88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Alfred Mitchell 

88th Security Forces Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Brooke McKillip 

  • Senior Airman Xavier Semona 

  • Senior Airman Trevor Tocci 

88th Surgical Operational Squadron 

  • Staff Sgt. Justin Singh 

181st Force Support Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Skylr Sheperd (Academic Achievement Award) 

445th Civil Engineer Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Chester Williamson 

645th Aeronautical Systems Group 

  • Senior Airman Maili Holt 

771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron  

  • Senior Airman Christian Takai 

  • Senior Airman Malik Vasciannie (Distinguished Graduate) 

788th Civil Engineer Squadron 

  • Senior Airman Andrew Ertmer (Leadership Award) 

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center 

  • Senior Airman Micaela Howard 

  • Senior Airman Chaston Waller 

Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command 

  • Senior Airman Dakota Thompson 

National Air and Space Intelligence Center 

  • Senior Airman Amber Boatman 

  • Senior Airman Alexander Otto (Distinguished Graduate) 

  • Senior Airman Tarney Sooksanguan 

U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine 

  • Senior Airman Kaleb Bottrell 

  • Senior Airman Julia Fulcher 

  • Senior Airman Alfredo Gomez 

  • Senior Airman Virginia Gwinn 

U.S. Coast Guard 

  • Petty Officer 3rd Class Alijah Ontiveros