I am currently attending the AFSNCOA with 13 other fellow CPOs. I am having a blast and learning alot. Is there any one out there that has attended both schools and tell me what your opinion is as to which is the better school? Thanks.

Not sure why the CG would fund to send a member to more than one senior enlisted academy, unless they are being groomed as a liason. I enjoyed the AFSNCO Academy as well. I have heard the CPO Academy is great too. Hang in there!

Chapwood...

got to remember that the CPO Academy is focused on teaching the KSAA's needed for a Chief Petty Officer where the AFSNCOA teaches the KSAA's that a SMSGT needs to advance to CMSGT. Same thing with the USN SEA and USASMA.

Trying to compare apples and pears...similiar but different.

I attended both and I really enjoyed the AF SNCOA.

I did not understand how the AF E-9's separated themselves from the E-7's and E-8's until the E-9 panel convened. WOW. What a wake-up call for me.

I am afraid the Coast Guard is headed in that direction and it scares me a little.

My AF classmates were incredible and were very interested in the workings of the Chiefs Mess. It was hard to get them to understand how we interacted to solve problems and get the job done.

It was a challenging experience and I learned more then I did at the CPOA. The best thing I got from the CPOA was the networking. I still keep in touch with some of my classmates to this day.

Watch out for the Navy Chiefs, they are a handful…Great bunch of men and women.

Robert

The only down side I have ever seen is that you end up being able to network with however many Coasties are in the class (13 others in this case)... whereas in the Chiefs' Academy you will get to know about 60 or so other Chiefs.
_________________________

On another note, with 14 Coasties, this is the largest Coast Guard contingent to have ever attended the Air Force SNCOA. Congrats to all of you!!

While I was scheduler for the CPO Academy (and AF as well) their was a priority matrix we used. A person who has not gone through the CPO Academy will always take priority over someone who has already been to the AFSNCOA. Either course is needed for advancement and the person who has already gone to the NCOA has satisfied that requirement. I really don't recall issuing orders to someone for the CPO Academy, who has already been to the NCOA. However, because you went to the NCOA, does not disqualify you from attending the CPOA. Good luck.

Mario

One thing I took note of and it was apparent immediately upon my arrival to the AFSNCO academy. The professionalism of the AF personnel. I was the only idiot without a Bachelors Degree, most in my class of 15 had their Masters.

Quite frankly, I was humbled. All in my classroom were true blue professionals at the highest level. My hat is goes off to the Air Force and their Senior NCO's.

It was obvious to me that the AF has us beat in many areas. Whatever developmental tools used by the AF to get their Senior NCO's to their level should be utilized by us. My thinking is a Petty Officer academy. Probably not a "magic pill" fix, but it would be a good first step in the right direction. It is my understanding the AF has a NCO academy for their E5-E6 personnel. Thoughts?

Go Wild Hogs!

chapwood........

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chapwood,

I have been to both academy's and I enjoy both of them. However, I came across people I would have never thought of meeting at the AFSNCO. I also learned a great deal from AF classmates. If you have a choice, I would go to AFSNCO academy before the CPO Academy.

Chap - we now have a "NCO Acadamey" for our E-5/E-6 too. Well, starting Feb 1 next year we will officialy have it.

I am really, really pleased to here of this development. This is going to be great for our Petty Officer's career development and I'm certain that this is a great investment for the CG as well.

chapwood...........

For folks that do not know what I am talking about, look back through your ALCOASTS, especially if you are a Petty Officer or you supervisor or mentor one. Staring with those people who desire to compete in the May 09 SWE, LAMS will be a requirement to compete for E-6 (or to be placed on a sup list if that is the current path to E-6)

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
For folks that do not know what I am talking about, look back through your ALCOASTS, especially if you are a Petty Officer or you supervisor or mentor one. Staring with those people who desire to compete in the May 09 SWE, LAMS will be a requirement to compete for E-6 (or to be placed on a sup list if that is the current path to E-6)

You almost got me there MC, I thought you were talking about something like a PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) or a BNOC (Basic Non-commisioned Officer Course)...you meant LAMS...Maybe one of these days the CG will have something other than CPO academy, how about PO Academy?...sorry dreaming again...have a great one.

If you have any petty officers interested in getting PME, try visiting http://www.au.af.mil/au/afiadl/

Click the link on the left for the catalog, then the link in the center for Professional Military Education courses. Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy both have paper versions available.

Cool..................

quote:

Originally posted by chapwood:
Cool..................

Hello there sir, I saw good old Mr. Ross the other day, still working at pep-boys.
Remember the noon to 1600 watch in the Tampa's ECC? Man we had a great group then. How is DC treating you?

quote:

Originally posted by Coastie63J20:

quote:

Originally posted by chapwood:
Cool..................

Hello there sir, I saw good old Mr. Ross the other day, still working at pep-boys.
Remember the noon to 1600 watch in the Tampa's ECC? Man we had a great group then. How is DC treating you?

Coastie63J20,

Great to here from you! I remember those days, that 270 is responsible for my head full of grey hair, similar to Lorne Greene from the show Bonanza. DC was cool....I know what 63J20 means. I was a 68J10 many years ago.

Take care of yourself and good luck on your future assignments!

chapwood.............

quote:

Originally posted by Coastie63J20:

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
For folks that do not know what I am talking about, look back through your ALCOASTS, especially if you are a Petty Officer or you supervisor or mentor one. Staring with those people who desire to compete in the May 09 SWE, LAMS will be a requirement to compete for E-6 (or to be placed on a sup list if that is the current path to E-6)

You almost got me there MC, I thought you were talking about something like a PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) or a BNOC (Basic Non-commisioned Officer Course)...you meant LAMS...Maybe one of these days the CG will have something other than CPO academy, how about PO Academy?...sorry dreaming again...have a great one.

Yeah, to bad we don't have a system where we can take non-petty officers and send them to resident training for 8-50 weeks and teach them the things they need to know to be a Petty Officer.

I just applied for the 5 June and 31 July 08 sessions. Can anyone enlighten me as to how long it takes before finding out if you have been selected to attend SNCOA. Also, any pointers on how to be prepared and what to expect from SNCOA alumni would be great. I have heard great things about the SNCOA, my OIC attended the academy as well. I would have never known about it had it not been for him. All the CPO Academy sessions for this year are filled.

Thanks

I attended USAF SNCOA Class 00-C, Flight 27, and had a great time while learning a lot! Of the nearly 300 members of that class, I was one of a very few who had wings and was on flight orders. I was given tasking for my CCTI while I was there - - have you ever had to "provide instruction and direction" to a 29-yr TIS US Army Sergeant Major regarding his classroom teaching technique? I don't recommend you do it unless he gets a "heads up" about what the poor CPO-wannabe is being required to do! I assure you that he was NOT amused! I was able to meet the MCPO-USN there, as well, and receive a signature and coin from him - - that was a bonus for my CCTI!

ap5fan, a little bird told me that the selection for June's class should be done by April Fools day - so selectees can get orders at least two months out and prepare... but I was also told that sometimes things get screwed up with applicants (as in lying their butts off as to being in line with MAW!!).