CARVILLE, La. - Louisiana Air Guardmembers often work in joint environments with Army Guardmembers, and Air Force Tech. Sgt Philip Olivier, a 159th Operations Group intelligence analyst, recently went above and beyond in his pursuit of learning a little more about how the Army operates.
Olivier, currently the 159th Fighter Wing deployment cycle support specialist, attended the Army’s Advanced Leader Course at Camp Cook in Ball, Jan. 8 to 20.
“This was a significant experience for me,” said the New Orleans native who is the first-ever Air Guardsman to attend this course. He says the experience allowed him to appreciate the similarities and differences between Army and Air doctrine.
ALC teaches noncommissioned officers the values, attributes, actions and the technical and tactical skills needed to lead platoon and squad-level operations.
For the Air Guard, it provides a unique opportunity to understand and appreciate “Army speak” while training in a joint environment.
Chief Master Sgt. Randall J. Volpi, 159th Fighter Wing command chief master sergeant, approached Olivier about attending the Army school as the Air representative. They then worked together to complete the application and approval process.
“We knew that he was a sharp Airman with deployment experience and that he would represent the Air Guard well,” said Volpi regarding his decision to approach Olivier.
“Given the operations tempo of today’s military, it’s important that our Airmen learn to work jointly with all of our service branches.”
Olivier attended the school knowing that, as an Air Guardsman, he would not receive any professional military education credit but would obtain valuable knowledge.
“I can now see the military world through the eyes of a Soldier and not just through the eyes of an Airman,” said Olivier.
His instructor described Olivier as having “excellent leader presence” and said his contribution
to the group’s work was “superior.” Olivier graduated with a 93 percent grade-point average.
“This experience gave me another set of glasses to look through, and this perspective will be extremely helpful when working in joint environments,” said Olivier.
“I’m proud of the way Tech. Sgt. Olivier has represented the Air National Guard,” said Col. Roy V. Qualls, 159th Fighter Wing commander. “We look forward to sending more of our non-commissioned officers through joint training courses.”
“We absolutely welcome all Airmen to attend our courses,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Kling III, 199th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, 1st Battalion Non-commissioned Officer Academy commandant.
Each year, Camp Cook’s ALC accepts approximately 40 Troops during each of the 15 cycles held throughout the year.