ALS chief working to shape best future leaders Published Aug. 14, 2015 By Sandy Simison 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Master Sgt. Michael Sierra took the reins as the new commandant of the Airman Leadership School here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base July 26. He is passionate about shaping young Airmen into leaders. "For me it's less about income, and more about the outcome," said Sierra. "The outcome that follows putting Airmen through this school and giving them the best knowledge, the best tools they need to be the best Airmen, the best supervisors and best future leaders they can be." Sierra's post prior to this assignment was as command supply chain manager at HQ Air Force Materiel Command. To become commandant, which is a four-year assignment, candidates must be outstanding Airmen. "Twice a year, unit leadership looks to see who is the best and brightest in their unit - their hard chargers who can vector into special assignments," said Sierra. "Fortunately for me, this position was one of those assignments." The five-week school is the first of professional education Airmen receive and focuses on everything Airmen need to become successful supervisors, using a set Air Force curriculum. Approximately 182 Airmen graduate the school per year. Sierra's philosophy about the outcome of ALS students mirrors the school's mission statement, which is "to prepare senior Airmen to be professional warfighting Airmen who can supervise and lead Air Force work teams to support the employment of air, space and cyberspace power." Any Airman who graduates from this program, values the lessons learned, and then applies the knowledge to the Airmen they supervise will be a success story, said Sierra.