Wright-Patt applauds ALS Class 25-C and commandant Published April 2, 2025 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 21 graduates in a ceremony March 26 at the Wright-Patterson Club. Chief Master Sgt. David McCormick, Air Force Band of Flight senior enlisted leader, guest speaker and class mentor, commended Class 25-C on their teamwork and development, and emphasized the importance of leading others. “Now that you’ve completed ALS, what do we ask of you? We ask that you supervise others. We ask that you’re responsible for someone else’s life, not just their job performance, but also their well-being. That is an awesome responsibility,” McCormick said. “I know you’re ready for it. You might not know it yet, but you will. You will when you have your first Airman and you sit down for their feedback… and they open up to you with their challenge and you can help them through it. You’re ready for that.” U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David McCormick, Air Force Band of Flight senior enlisted leader, congratulates the graduates of Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School Class 25-C at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 26, 2025. Class 25-C 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) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res McCormick encouraged the graduates not to shy away from challenging opportunities and stressed the importance of compassion in leadership roles. “You don’t need to know everything, and even if you do, your Airmen won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” he said. “We need compassionate leaders, and leaders that can build a team. You’ve shown me that you are those leaders, and I am proud to serve with you.” The event was bittersweet as it was Master Sgt. Kelaine Smith’s last ALS graduation as 88th Force Support Squadron ALS commandant. Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief. Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief, took the moment to recognize Smith for all her time, hard-work, and dedication during this special duty over the last three years. “If I could give one message to anybody that is considering a special duty, to our future leaders here, if you ever have the opportunity… please go after it and embrace it,” Smith emphasized. “Take everything that it provides for you, because it is so rewarding.” Smith continued by thanking base leadership for entrusting her with their Airmen. She praised her amazing team of instructors for being motivated professional leaders. Lastly, she thanked her sister and two children in attendance for their continued love, support and understanding. “I couldn’t be more proud in my career to have had such an opportunity,” Smith concluded. “I’ve spent the last three years molding the future leaders of the Air Force, and I can’t think of a better job.” Graduates included Airmen, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen from Air Force Materiel Command, 88th Air Base Wing, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, National Space Intelligence Center, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard. ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. U.S. Air Force Col. Dustin Richards (left), 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine (right), 88 ABW command chief, congratulate award recipients at the Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 26, 2025. ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Below is the list of graduates and award winners: 76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron Sgt. Matthew Wainwright (John L. Levitow Award) 88th Communications Squadron Senior Airman Miles Luke Guzman Senior Airman Jalen Winters (Distinguished Graduate Award) 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron Senior Airman Julia Marrin 88th Force Support Squadron Senior Airman Christian Welch 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron Senior Airman Annastasia Griffith Senior Airman Brett Hugaert 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron Senior Airman Madison Brace 88th Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman Jathen Allen Senior Airman Hunter Pryce Senior Airman Michael Perkio 126th Intelligence Squadron Senior Airman Caden Hott (Leadership Award) 181st Logistics Readiness Squadron Senior Airman Irvin Halbert 342nd Training Squadron Senior Airman Jared Wyaco 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman London Foreman 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Senior Airman John Paget III 595th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Matthew Hutnyan United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Senior Airman Cierra Ashley (Academic Achievement Award) National Air and Space Intelligence Center Senior Airman Chance Flatness Senior Airman Tristan Rogers U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Shahdan Patricio