ACSC graduates embrace coalition mindset Published June 15, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- To help illustrate how Air Command and Staff College encourages the creation of team building, the 2010 class president and international officer class president opted to present their remarks in tandem instead of separately, as is usual, during the graduation ceremony Monday at Polifka Auditorium. The ACSC class of 2010 is comprised of 506 graduates, including 41 Army officers, 11 Marine Corps officers, 32 Navy officers, 11 civilians, 76 international officers from 66 countries and 336 Air Force officers. There were 51 distinguished graduates. Lt. Col. Olivier Kaladjian of France and Maj. Travis Edwards exhibited the close international cooperation expected in a modern force environment. "The international officers were one of the best parts of ACSC," said Major Edwards. "We built wonderful relationships. It is those we'll remember most. ... We look forward to many more missions together." Colonel Kaladjian concurred with the major's assessment. "We have grown as a team," he said. He also saluted the opportunity to expand his horizons. The related cultural trips "have given us a flavor of the U.S. culture and the way the U.S. does business." Guest speaker Maj. Gen. Robert C. Kane, commander of the Spaatz Center for Officer Education, told graduates that the knowledge they gained at ACSC will be quickly put to use in a demanding world and in a war effort where leadership and strategic thinking are demanded. "Make practical use of what you've learned," he said. "I'm not going to let you lapse back into tactical thinking." General Kane said that some graduates may soon be called upon to use what they've learned. Having come from Iraq last year, he told the graduates that his time there was "the most professional and personally rewarding" of his 30-year military career because of the joint environment that demanded people to excel despite limited resources and build lasting coalition partnerships with the Iraqis. "It will be more challenging, but I hope it will be more rewarding than you can imagine," he said. Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Rock, ACSC commandant, saluted the class of 2010 for going above and beyond the call of duty, scholastically and otherwise. Among the accomplishments cited: earning 114 perfect PT scores, winning the Commander's Trophy for intramural teams for the seventh year in a row and contributing to the local community through thousands of donated dollars and man-hours that helped 26 local service organizations. "You truly embody service before self," he said. He also pointed out that having a Marine as the top ACSC graduate "enriches the joint nature of what we do." ACSC is the Air Force's intermediate professional military education school preparing field grade officers - primarily majors - to assume positions of higher responsibility. Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award Maj. Travis L. Edwards Military Officer Association of America Award Military: Lt. Col. Thomas M. Weaver, U.S. Army Civilian: Richard Perry Educator of the Year Award Military: Lt. Col. Barak J. Carlson Civilian: Michael May Wright Brothers Officership Award Faculty: Maj. Mark A. Carlson Student: Maj. Erin Gulden Fit to Fight Award Maj. John B. Broam, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robbie Risner International Officer Leadership Award Lt. Col. Olivier Kaladjian, France Commandant's International Officer Academic Award Squadron Leader Christopher Ellison, Australia Commandant's Award for Academic Achievement Maj. Jeffery G. Palomino Commandant's Leadership Award Maj. Matthew F. Coleman Commandant's Award for Excellence Maj. Grant M. Johnson, U.S. Marine Corps William R. Lawley Award for Courage Maj. William R. Hersch Wing Commander David Bye Award for Exemplary Service by an Allied Officer Wing Commander Nicholas Stringer, U.K.