DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education

Maxwell AFB, AL 36118

1 Oct 13

NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER ACADEMY

STUDENT GUIDE
PART I
COVER SHEET
LESSON TITLE: NCOACI, COURSE INTRODUCTION
TIME: 3 Hours
TEACHING METHOD: Informal Lecture
REFERENCES:
Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2301. Developmental Education, 16 July 2010.
Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Curriculum Synopsis, 1 January 2010.
Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. USAF Enlisted Professional Military
Education Procedural Guidance, 15 January 2010.
STUDENT PREPARATION: None
PART IA
PART IB
ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN: Topical
LESSON OUTLINE:
CONTENT
INTRODUCTION: Attention, Motivation, and Overview
MP 1. Procedural Guidance Briefing
MP 2. Local Topics
CONCLUSION: Summary, Remotivation, and Closure

PART II
STUDENT READING
This student reading covers a variety of topics that will help you succeed while attending
the NCO Academy (NCOA). Additional information will be provided during the
flightroom lecture and group activity. Much of the information you will receive is
mandatory for the beginning of the course. This student guide contains portions of the
briefing, based on the USAF Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) Procedural
Guidance and pertains to all NCOAs.
A. USAF Enlisted Professional Military Education Procedural Guidance.
This document is developed at the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Professional
Military Education (BCEE) at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama, and is published under the
authority of AFI 36-2301, Developmental Education. It is the primary directive for
administering all levels of EPME programs. All NCOA commandants administer their
NCOA programs using the same directives to ensure a standardized EPME experience for
all attendees. It is vital students understand what is expected of you while attending this
course.
B. Professional Behavior.
AFI 36-2909, Professional and Unprofessional Relationships defines professional and
unprofessional behavior. Students should be professional in and outside the classroom as
they use judgment and common sense to avoid unprofessional relationships. Any violation
of policies or the UCMJ will be dealt with appropriately, including possible release from the
school.
C. Academic Freedom.
Academic freedom is the privilege of debate with discretion on any subject related to EPME
curricula. Students are encouraged to engage in responsible classroom discussion of
controversial issues; however, this policy does not authorize the use of offensive remarks,
irresponsible statements (i.e., sexist comments, ethnic slurs, etc.), or profanity. You must
temper academic freedom with good judgment. Instructors will immediately address
offensive or disparaging remarks.
D. Non-attribution.
Statements, disagreements, and other comments made by individuals or groups of
individuals in the educational forum are protected through the practice of non-attribution.
Communication among students and faculty is privileged information, so do not reference
statements to a specific individual or group of individuals. Obtain permission from
speakers and the school before releasing or discussing remarks outside the academic
forum. This includes references made in communication skills assignments.
E. Academic Integrity.
Academic integrity is the uncompromising adherence to a code of ethics, morality, conduct,
scholarship, and values related to academic activity. All individuals who violate academic
integrity are subject to administrative action and may be prosecuted under Article 92 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not
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limited to cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation.

Cheating is the act of giving or receiving improper assistance. Examples include
(but are not limited to) using previously written papers, briefings, test answer
strings, or other types of work provided by former students of the course. Copying
answers from another students examination or writing assignments or examination,
or knowingly permitting another student to copy ones own writing assignments also
constitutes cheating. Gaining unauthorized access to faculty materials not intended
for student use, collaborating with other persons to gain access to unauthorized
curriculum materials, or using copies of official writing accomplished in any unit or
organization are other forms of cheating, all of which are punishable under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Plagiarism is the act of passing off the literary ideas or works of others as the
product of ones own mind. An example is copying verbatim an outside source
without using quotation marks and a citation of the source. Outside sources must be
cited in oral presentations.
Misrepresentation is the act of making an assertion to intentionally deceive or
mislead. Examples include but are not limited to falsifying a report or knowingly
giving a false statement to a(n) academic/disciplinary review board or to faculty
members attempting to investigate suspected behavior in violation of established
policies.
F. Use of Recording Devices.
Students will not use any type of personal recording device (e.g., cameras, tape recorders,
cell phones, iPods/MP3 players, etc.) in the classroom/auditorium.
G. Extenuating Circumstances.
Extenuating circumstances are those unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances that
prevent students from meeting academic or performance standards. Extenuating
circumstances include events such as death or notification of terminal illness of a family
member, marital (relationship) issue, critical family matter, or financial problem. Inform
the faculty as soon as extenuating circumstances arise, so appropriate action can be taken.
H. Graduation Criteria.
To graduate, all students must meet the following requirements:
In the objective track, students must show curriculum mastery by attaining the
minimum cumulative passing standard defined by the Educational Programs Cadre
(EPC).
In the performance track, students must score the minimum passing standard in each
communication skills performance section as defined by EPC.
Students must satisfactorily accomplish all lesson objectives, including those
pertaining to fitness along with drill and ceremony using criteria outlined in each
lesson.
Students who fail to meet lesson objectives due to lack of participation will receive
appropriate corrective/disciplinary action. Repeated corrective/disciplinary actions

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may lead to disciplinary release from the academy.

To be eligible for the John L. Levitow, Distinguished Graduate, or Academic

Achievement Awards, students must meet the minimum passing standard on every
summative objective evaluation and every summative performance evaluation
within each communication skills area.

I. Student Responsibilities.
Adhere to class schedule attendance; engage in the learning process; complete all
homework, objective, performance and remediation assignments on time; listen
actively, think critically; discuss lesson objectives willingly.
Satisfactorily participate in all aspects of programs and events. Unsatisfactory
participation is a disciplinary issue.
Successful participation and accomplishment in all areas of the EPME program
ultimately lead to success as an Airman, supervisor, leader, and citizen.

All students must adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and are
prohibited from engaging in plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation, unprofessional
relationships, or any other act constituting a lack of academic or military integrity.
All students who violate this directive are subject to adverse administrative action
including release from the school.

J. Test Procedures.
Test Administration. Tests will be administered under direct supervision and
students will not be left unattended at any time.
Test Compromise. Unauthorized discussion, disclosure, or possession of EPME
examinations is a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. USAF Reserve components and
Air Force civilian employees are subject to disciplinary action per AFI 36-704,
Discipline and Adverse Actions, and civilian penalties. Examples of test
compromise include, but are not limited to:

Discussing or sharing, in any form, information about actual test material or

suspected test material with a student or potential examinee.

Bringing unauthorized materials into the examination room.

Unauthorized removal of test materials from the examination room.

Using or possessing an actual test or testable materials to assist a student or

potential examinee in taking a test.

K. Remediation.
The remediation process is a series of actions that occur because of a students failure to
meet minimum requirements. Students who fail the summative objective test will take a
retest. Students who fail a Managerial Communication assignment will re-fire on the
assignment. Students who fail the retest or the re-fire will meet an Academic Review Board
(ARB).
L. Academic Review Boards (ARB).

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When students cannot meet graduation criteria and remediation attempts are unsuccessful,
an ARB will convene. A key consideration during the investigation is whether the student
engaged in the learning process. If it is determined that the student did not fulfill his or her
responsibilities by not putting forth enough effort, a disciplinary release might be
appropriate.
M. Disciplinary Review Boards (DRB).
When students violate Air Force directives or individual school policies, the school may
disciplinarily release them. Examples include lack of effort, disruptive/poor attitude,
engaging in unprofessional relationships, academic irresponsibility, cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation, or any conduct in violation of local polices or the Uniform Code of
Military Justice (UCMJ). The DRB will act as an investigative body and objectively
evaluate all circumstances and issues pertaining to the situation.
N. Student Releases.
There are three types of releases: administrative, academic, and disciplinary.
Administrative Release. Students are administratively released when they
encounter extenuating circumstances, or if their commander recalls them.
Administratively released students do not always have to repeat the course.
Academic Release. Students are academically released when they fail to meet
minimum course academic standards. Academic releases render students ineligible
for reentry into any EPME course of instruction for 6 months from the release date.

Disciplinary Release. Students are disciplinary released when they violate Air
Force directives or individual school policies (e.g., cheating, lack of effort,
disruptive or poor attitude, or other conduct in violation of the UCMJ). Disciplinary
releases render students ineligible for reentry into any EPME course of instruction
for 1 year from the release date.

O. Awards Program.
The following EPME Awards are mandatory at the NCOA: John L. Levitow, Distinguished
Graduate (DG), Academic Achievement, and Commandants Award. Commandants may
disqualify any award candidate who does not exhibit USAF leadership and physical fitness
standards.
John L. Levitow Award. This is the highest honor awarded based on summative
objective and performance evaluations, as well as instructor and peer leadership
points. Each school will have only one John L. Levitow Award recipient. The
award will be presented to the number one graduate as identified in iGecko. The
John L. Levitow Award is the most distinguished graduate and is included as part of
the top 10 % of Distinguished Graduates.
Distinguished Graduate Award. This award is presented to the top 10 % of the
class. Selection is based on summative objective and performance evaluations, as
well as instructor and peer leadership points.
Academic Achievement Award. This award is presented to the student with the
highest academic standing, excluding the John L. Levitow Award recipient.

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Commandants Award. This award is presented to the student who, in the

Commandants judgment, made the most significant contribution to the overall
success of the class. The John L. Levitow Award winner is NOT eligible for this
award; however, students academically redlined are eligible.

P. Peer Leadership Points.

Toward the end of the course, students will be required to rank-order the top three students
within their flight only, including themselves. Assign the top student position A, the second
student position B, and the third student position C. Students must fill in all three positions.
To maintain the integrity of this effort, students will make their selections independently. In
other words, this is their vote; it is not a collaborative effort. This information, combined
with other factors, will help determine the award recipients for their class. Students who
fail or refuse to participate in awarding peer points will be considered not in compliance
with established policies, and will be counseled for their actions. Also, disciplinary action
will be taken as appropriate and documented accordingly. This behavior represents an
unwillingness to fulfill supervisory duties similar to those performed in the normal duty
section, and documentation of disciplinary actions will be forwarded to your organization.
Although students may have their own criteria for a good leader, consider the following
questions when making your final choices:
Leadership/Followership. Who best exemplified top military standards and the
image of a military leader? Who exhibited a high degree of personal fitness?
Whose demeanor would you like to emulate?
Teamwork. Who did the most to promote teamwork and harmony within the
flight? Who rallied you together when you needed it? Who was instrumental in
helping to manage stress?
Goal Accomplishment. Who did the most to help the flight achieve its goals?
Who kept you on track during discussions? Who encouraged you to study and
practice together so you all could succeed? When necessary, who sought
clarification? Who helped motivate you? Who exceeded all duty requirements and
expectations?
Professional Conduct On/Off Duty. Who were the professionals in the flight?
Who exhibited integrity in word and action? Who displayed energy, initiative, and a
volunteer spirit? Who always seemed courteous and supportive? Who conducted
themselves in a professional manner in and outside the classroom?
Q. CCAF Credit.
This is a Community College of the Air Force classroom and you will receive college credit
upon graduation.
Conclusion
This reading covered part of the mandatory briefing required for all students at the
beginning of this course. Here at the NCOA, we hold students to a high level of
professionalism and performance. This lesson is intended to set each student up for success
and it is now time to show what you can do and what you are made of as noncommissioned
officers in the United States Air Force.

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