Kirtland NCO Academy celebrates 54th anniversary: Enter the Warrior…Exit the Leader!

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Trisha M. Morgan
  • Kirtland NCO Academy
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  The Kirtland Noncommissioned Officer Academy celebrated its 54-year anniversary Feb. 13 in conjunction with the graduation of class of 09-2. The events included retired number five Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor officiating a full pass-in-review parade of the graduates from the class at noon on the drill pad behind the academy.

The celebration continued into the evening when Chief Gaylor addressed Class 09-2 during their graduation banquet at the Mountain View club.

This academy traces its roots back to the Air Research and Development Command, which founded the school in 1955. The academy welcomed its first students, Class 55-A, 62 master sergeants, on Feb. 1, 1955. Students attended classes six days a week for four weeks to complete 172 hours of instruction on NCO responsibilities, including leadership, management and communication skills.

Even in 1955, the academy did not solely focus on academics. Students were required to participate in physical training, drill and ceremonies and uniform inspections, virtually the same requirements of the six-week course currently taught.

On April 1, 1961, ARDC was redesignated the Air Force Systems Command, and the school became known as the AFSC NCO Academy.

Under AFSC, the academy expanded with the addition of a Leadership School. The first Leadership School class arrived in January 1974, and one month later graduated 78 NCOs. With the restructuring of professional military education, the last Leadership School class graduated on Sept. 26, 1991.

On July 1, 1992, Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Logistics Command combined to form a single, streamlined organization. The new command would be known as Air Force Materiel Command. This merger provided the command two NCO academies: AFMC NCO Academy - East, Robins AFB, Ga., and AFMC NCO Academy - West, Kirtland AFB.

On Nov. 1, 1993, the academy became a part of Air Education and Training Command, under the guidelines set by the Air Force that all education and training functions fall under one command. The College for Enlisted Professional Military Education was established under Air University, and all continental United States NCO academies were aligned under one command.

Throughout its 54-year history, 10 officers (from 1955-1980) and 11 chief master sergeants (1980 to present) have led the organization as commandants. The Kirtland NCOA diploma has gone to 29,368 students. Number eight Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Sam E. Parish, is among our alumni (Class 64-D).

The Kirtland NCOA has had the honor and privilege to host such legends as Col. Chuck Yeager, the number one Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul W. Airey, number three Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Richard D. Kisling, number four Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes, number five Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, number six Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James M. McCoy, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Parish, number 11 Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David J. Campanale, number 12 Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric W. Benken, number 14 Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray, number 15 Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura, Vietnam Prisoner of War Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Fisk and former enlisted pilot Jack Kerr.

The academy has earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award five times: 1964, 1969, 1977, 1983 and 1989; and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award seven times: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006.

Another accomplishment of this academy reaches all Airmen in today's force. In April 2007, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Michael T. Moseley approved a new creed to reinvigorate the "warrior ethos" in every American Airman and the Kirtland NCOA played an integral role in the establishment of the Airman's Creed. Creative input from Class 07-2 and a few select units from across the Air Force resulted in a creed that unifies us as an Air Force -- regardless of job, position or rank.

The Kirtland NCO Academy staff proudly serves at the oldest continually operated NCO academy in the Air Force, and sadly, will close its doors and end its 54-year reign on July 31, 2009. The mission and purpose to develop and educate students has remained relatively unchanged since its activation.

According to a Kirtland NCOA Anniversary article in the Feb. 5 1965 Kirtland base newspaper, "... Not only should the NCO possess the pertinent technical skills, but must also have the moral responsibility, pride in service and concern for the welfare of subordinates and colleagues. These qualities, combined with integrity, exemplify the ideal noncommissioned officer."

That is what this institution has delivered to the Air Force for more than five decades.