JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Lieutenants whose first duty station is at Andrews participated in the first of many planned Lieutenant Professional Development Program courses held at the education building Nov 3rd through the 5th.
The goal of the program is to provide new lieutenants information, training and resources, to better prepare them for their responsibilities and expectations as a new officer not only in the Air Force, but a new officer at Andrews.
"The program is designed to hone in on the uniqueness of Andrews and prepare our new lieutenants to be successful company grade officers" said Capt. Marietta Sanders, 11th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander and LPDP course director. "Ultimately the program will be a supplement to the training officers receive between commissioning and the Air and Space Basic Course."
The program included courses in media training, performance report writing, promotion boards, educational opportunities, career development, and interaction with reservists and guardsmen.
"I found the program very valuable for first term lieutenants" said 2nd Lieutenant Titus Butler, 11th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist. "Being prior enlisted, it seems like the enlisted have more opportunities and guidance when they start out than the new officers.
The program is a good way to fill the gap between our commissioning sources and our next professional military education course."
The program also included discussion panels chaired by commanders and command chiefs.
"It's an honor to come and speak to these young lieutenants" said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, 11th Wing command chief. "[These] are the folks that are going to run our Air Force and I love sharing the knowledge I've learned over the years."
The senior enlisted panel that included Chief Brinkley, Chief Master Sgt. Pat Battenberg, Air Force District of Washington command chief and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Brackett, 89th Air Wing command chief, was the clear favorite of the lieutenants that participated in the program.
Twenty-one lieutenants attended the first session of the program with a similar number expected for the next gathering.
The next LPDP course is tentatively scheduled for March 2nd through the 4th and the location is still under discussion.
For additional information on the Lieutenant Professional Development Program, contact the course director Capt. Marietta Sanders at Marietta.Sanders@afncr.af.mil or call 301-981-4890.