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Video by Master Sgt. David Eichaker

ANG Chiefs receive first ever PACE course

Air National Guard

Oct. 26, 2015 | 3:39

Recently-promoted chief master sergeants in the Air National Guard experienced the first Profession of Arms Center of Excellence training in the Chiefs’ Executive Course, at the ANG Readiness Center here, Oct. 21.

PACE, which stood up earlier this year, is an initiative focusing on enhancing military professionalism and inspiring Airmen to recommit to the profession of arms.

“[This is] the first chiefs’ executive course we’ve been able to teach in the Air Force,” said Air Force Col. Joseph Rizzuto, director, Profession of Arms Center of Excellence. “We’re happy to partner with the Guard and be out front,” adding that PACE is scheduled to be in every major command to include CECs, commander, group and wing commander courses. “Our focus is to go out with education programs collaboratively across the Air Force working on our core values and how [those] values fit into what we do on a daily basis.”

Understanding peer pressure, group dynamics and how people are influenced is part of PACE’s training lessons.

“Incorporating [PACE’s] Enhancing Human Capital lesson into the CEC curriculum has, in my opinion, evolved the course to the next level,” said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas J. Safer, lead facilitator, CEC. “It has enabled our newest chiefs to think critically about human behavior when they lead and provide our chiefs with an understanding of how professionalism drives behavior, how perceptions drive decisions and why humans do what they do.”

Course participants found valuable information they could implement in their home units.

“It challenges your perspective on how you communicate with Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Patty Gross, Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin, emphasizing that Airmen want to speak face-to-face rather than using text or e-mail. “This helps improve the way we communicate with our Airmen we are responsible for. I feel every Airman in my organization should have this course … it’s an incredible resource for the Guard and an incredible opportunity for the Guard to have that training.”