134th Airman is Satellite NCOA distinguished graduate

  • 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 134th Air Refueling Wing received the distinguished graduate award for her accomplishments at the Satellite Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy during the class graduation ceremony at The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center here, Dec. 15.

Tech. Sgt. Venus D. Julien, a knowledge operations craftsman with the 134th communications squadron, was one of the top graduates of 130 NCOs who attended Class 10-2.

The Distinguished Graduate Award is presented to 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.

The NCO Academy is a requirement for promotion to master sergeant. Air National Guardsmen have the option of taking the correspondence course or attending either the traditional 6-week in-residence school or the satellite program.

The Satellite NCO Academy is a 12-week distance learning program that was specifically designed for Airmen who cannot attend the six-week program for whatever reason, but still want the education, experience and credit of attending the program in-residence.

During the first phase of the course, students attend four-hour training sessions two nights a week at their home station. Trained facilitators at their unit help them participate in interactive training lessons which are broadcast over the Air National Guard's Warrior Network satellite system.

In the second phase, students travel here to McGhee Tyson for a two-week capstone in-residence experience at the Training and Education Center.

Members of the 134th ARW participated in the class with 130 Airmen from 13 other units: the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colo.; 107th Airlift Wing (AW), Niagara Falls, N.Y.; 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), McGuire AFB, N.J.; 109th AW, Stratton ANGB, N.Y.; 121st ARW, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio; 137th ARW, Will Rogers ANGB, Okla.; 143rd AW, Quonset ANGB, R.I.; 145th AW, Charlotte, N.C.; 149th Fighter Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas; 172nd AW, Jackson, Miss.; 175th WG, Baltimore, Md.; 179th AW, Mansfield, Ohio; and an all Air Force unit from the 509th BW, Whiteman AFB, Mo.