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Two Become 1st CAP Graduates of Air Force Leadership Development Course
A pair of Southeast Region members marked a first for Civil Air Patrol when they graduated from a virtual U.S. Air Force’s Leadership Development Course on Nov. 17.
Lt. Cols. Arnold C. Staton, Alabama Wing Group I commander, and Shannon M. Brumfield, region cadet programs chief of staff, joined 93 active, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian Air Force and Space Force students taking the course.
Their involvement marked the first time in the course’s six-year history that CAP members participated in the Air University flagship course.
The leadership course is a Chief of Staff of the Air Force initiative that connects to a broader continuum of learning and closes gaps discovered during the 2017 Squadron Vitality study to prepare officers and civilian and enlisted leaders to thrive 
in command.
The eight-day course is fast-paced, experiential, and seminar-based,, instructed by graduated squadron commanders, senior noncommissioned officers, and civilian academic and professional experts.
Participants are Air Force and Space Force, Joint, and international commissioned officers or the equivalent with nine to 16 years of experience, GS-13 civilians and above, and enlisted E-7 to E-9 leaders nominated/endorsed by their wing commanders as demonstrating highest potential to command/direct at the squadron level, and key spouses. Up to 120 students participate per class, with 14 classes totaling 1,500 Total Force Air and Space Forces students per year.
Course materials include preparing leaders for an inspired squadron command or key leadership positions, building self-awareness and emotional intelligence to provide purposeful leadership, developing interpersonal skills to foster esprit de corps, building a unit culture conducive to achieving verifiable mission success, and developing a personal philosophy of leadership.
“LDC believes in developing the talents of all our Total Air Force partners from active, Reserve, Guard, and auxiliary components,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Charles “Gator” Spaulding, course director.
“A special congratulations to LDC Class 24E — these Civil Air Patrol officers have demonstrated a growth mindset, and their willingness to lean in during their LDC experience will help serve CAP units in the future,” Spaulding added.
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Col. Jayson A. Altieri
Director of Operations
Alabama Wing