Education critical to civilian leadership development Published April 5, 2011 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Because education is a critical component of leadership development, the Air Force offers opportunities at the tactical, operational and strategic levels to ensure civilian Airmen are able to achieve their career goals. All new civil service employees must complete the new employee orientation, a seven-module computer-based training program, but the orientation is just the first of various opportunities throughout at career. Between two and five years of continuous federal service, eligible civilians in the grades GS-07 through GS-13 will be able to apply for Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training. To apply, civilians must have a bachelor's degree, and must not have prior military service or professional military education. "CALT, as part of the Air Force's emerging leader program, is designed to introduce Air Force civilians to the Air Force culture and prepare them for future leadership, managerial and supervisory positions. It is through a strong foundation in institutional competencies, put within the organizational culture in which they work, that CALT participants build the capabilities to succeed in larger, more complex roles," said Air Force Personnel Center civilian leadership development chief Loretta Brown. Patterned after the officer training school program, CALT is an intense and comprehensive program incorporating 10 days of academic, health and fitness, and ethics training designed to introduce civilians to the leadership corps, and prepare them for increasing responsibility. Applications are accepted during the 2012 Civilian Developmental Education Call academic year. Applications are due May 1 for the in-residence program, which is conducted eight times per year at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. For more information on CALT eligibility and application procedures, go to the Air Force personnel services website and enter CALT in the search window. Additional information about the course is also available at the Air University Jeanne M. Holm Center of Officer Accession and Citizen Development website: www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter. For more information about personnel services, visit the Air Force personnel services website or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.