AWC strengthens joint efforts with America's Army elective class

Students from Air University’s Air War College visited Fort Benning, Georgia, as part of an Army elective course, April 21, 2015. During the visit, the students met with Army Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, Maneuver Center of Excellence commander, observed airborne training and visited the National Infantry Museum. (Army Photo by Patrick A. Albright/Released)

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AWC strengthens joint efforts with America's Army elective class

Published May 6, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Air War College gives students a better understanding of the U.S. Army through its Army elective class at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

The class is comprised of five, three-hour sessions that delve into Army structure and organization and how it operates as a whole.

"The better understanding they have of a joint fight, coming out of AWC, the more prepared for success it makes them," said Army Col. Barry Jones, AWC instructor.

The class begins with a basic overview of the Army, its concepts, how they train and fight, key locations for the Army and its units.

"I wanted to know how the U.S. Army was structured and organized," said Philippine Col. Erickson Gloria, AWC student. "I'm really impressed on how it operates."

During the course, the students are taken on a day-long trip to Fort Benning, Georgia, a principal location for the Army because it is the home of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, United States Army Armor School, United States Army Infantry School and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

The post supports about 120,000 active duty military, dependents, reservists, retirees and civilian employees.

The recent tour of Fort Benning began with an introduction from Army Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, Maneuver Center of Excellence commander, followed by a discussion of the Army Operating Concepts and how the Army plans to fight and win the future fight. Miller stressed to the students that even though he is an Army officer and the Army elective course instructors are Army officers, they are all joint officers.

"The better we understand the other services, the better we can come together and get the mission done," said Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Hale, AWC student.

The students observed cadets, who were in their second week of airborne training, demonstrate how to exit 34-foot and 200-foot towers. Afterward, the AWC students spoke to the airborne training school cadre about cadet standards and challenges.

The day wrapped up with a guided tour of the National Infantry Museum. The museum features a walk-through of history called the Last 100 yards: A March through History that covers the early formation of the U.S. Army up to current conflicts.

"The feedback I got was that the students loved the tour, and I plan on doing it again the next time we run the course," said Jones.