Holloman AFB member is DG at NCO Academy

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mavi Smith
  • The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center
McGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  A member of the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., received the Distinguished Graduate award for his accomplishments at the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy during the class graduation ceremony at The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center here, Sept. 30.

Tech. Sgt. Tyler O. Weisgram, the unit deployment manager for the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron was one of the top graduates of the 62 servicemembers who attended NCO Academy Class 09-6. 

The Distinguished Graduate Award is presented to the students in the top ten percent of the class. It is based on objective and performance evaluations, demonstrated leadership, and performance as a team player. 

"Tech. Sgt. Weisgram is very deserving of this award," said Master Sgt. Herbert J. Harrell, the B-flight instructor for NCO Academy Class 09-6.
 
Weisgram was also the student leader, or "rope", for B-Flight. The rope is the individual determined by the instructor to be best able to lead the group and keep everyone focused both inside and outside of the classroom.

"He was one step up from the other students," said Harrell. "He wasn't afraid to take a leadership role and to be assertive when he needed to be." 

"Being successful at the NCO Academy boils down to effort," added Harrell. "Tech. Sgt. Weisgram definitely put in the effort and made sure everyone else was putting in the effort as well. He kept the class in line and had a great attitude." 

The NCO Academy is a six-week in-residence course that prepares technical sergeants to be professional, war-fighting Airmen who can manage and lead their units in the employment of air, space and cyberspace power. Students learn and study curriculum in the areas of the profession of arms, leadership and communication to build the skills they need for their current rank and to prepare for future responsibilities.

The 62 servicemembers who attended NCO Academy Class 09-6 came from 25 different states and included 41 Air National Guard members, 13 Air Force members, 4 Air Force Reserve members, and 5 Coast Guard members.

The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center is located at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base near Knoxville, Tenn. Known as the TEC, it conducts an average of 18 professional military education courses throughout the year and holds more than 40 skills enhancement classes in subjects ranging from explosives safety orientation to food services, recruiting, security and expeditionary medical support. The center trains and educates more than 4,200 students per year and is the heart of leadership training for the Air National Guard.