Senior-enlisted course improves joint education

NORFOLK, Va. (AFPN) -- U.S. Joint Forces Command officials will take a first step in kicking off the Command Senior-Enlisted Leader Capstone Joint Operations Module course at the Joint Warfighting Center here April 27 to 28.

The course provides command senior enlisted Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen the tools they will need in a world where no service goes to war by itself, said course organizers.

It is for senior-enlisted leaders who serve in service headquarters that are joint capable.

“Up until this point, we haven't done anything to provide them with any joint education," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Ripka of USJFCOM. "Today's command senior-enlisted leaders are more operationally focused leaders. They must understand joint command and control and joint planning to be more effective at the joint-force headquarters-level.”

The program gives senior-enlisted leaders a chance to immediately affect a joint task force or functional component headquarters staff, Sergeant Major Ripka said.

"Our command senior-enlisted leaders typically have more boots on the ground, deck plate and flightline experience than most of our officers,” he said. “When that experience is coupled with a joint-educational experience, the combination results in (greater) command senior-enlisted leadership."

During the course, the enlisted leaders will learn many topics based on the life cycle of a JTF headquarters. Those topics include: forming the JTF, joint manning document development, joint command and control, joint basing and the integration of special-operations forces.

The need for a new program for the enlisted leaders first arose during Operation Enduring Freedom through conversations with Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Brownhill of U.S. Central Command, Sergeant Major Ripka said. Chief Brownhill now serves as CENTCOM's command chief master sergeant.

Chief Brownhill explained how joint operations could operate more effectively if enlisted leaders received joint professional military education, Sergeant Major Ripka said. Based on the chief’s recommendations, the idea for the program took root.

The program has stirred the interest of each of the military services, Sergeant Major Ripka said.

"All the services want to be involved," he said.

This new course will also allow foreign senior-enlisted leaders to participate, Sergeant Major Ripka said. Two Canadians and one British person are enrolled in the first class.

The two-day course will serve as a stepping stone for an expanded program incorporating many of the same lessons and experiences being offered in the current flag and general officer program, Sergeant Major Ripka said.