Indonesian AF eyes Barnes Center PME model

Published July 13, 2010
By Jessica Casserly
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The chief of the Indonesian Air Force wants to use aspects of U.S. Air Force enlisted education in his own service, following a briefing at Air University on July 12. "We offer some education to our noncommissioned officers, but I hope to increase [those opportunities] in the future," Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat said.

The air chief marshal heard about enlisted education programs offered through Air University's Barnes Center to U.S. Air Force NCOs.

"It's not uncommon for other countries to take a hard look at how we develop our enlisted force," said Hank Dasinger, Ph.D., education advisor for the Barnes Center. "If we can help our coalition partners more effectively develop their enlisted personnel, it's a win all around."

The Barnes Center offers four levels of PME, the newest of which is the Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course. The center is also home to the Community College of the Air Force, the Air Force First Sergeant Academy and the Enlisted Heritage Research Institute.

The primary focus of the briefing was on the overall continuum of development for enlisted Airmen, particularly professional military education.

"We hope leaders from other countries understand the powerful potential residing in the enlisted member," he said. It is important for international militaries to hear about the Barnes Center and its mission, because the enlisted corps is essential to successfully carrying out the Air Force mission.

"In today's complex warfighting environment, the senior NCO is playing an increasing and important role at the more strategic levels of decision-making," Dr. Dasinger said. "It's hard not to be impressed by the level of competence and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force enlisted force."