AFSC Way prepares squadron trainers Published Aug. 15, 2014 By Brian Shreve Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Local schoolchildren and college students weren't the only ones returning to the classroom this month. Beginning Aug. 3, squadron leaders received a week-long course on job relations based on the Air Force Sustainment Center model - all in an effort to equip supervisors with tools necessary to conduct training among their own employees. Instilling a "train the trainer" methodology, instructors spoke of creating relationships within the squadrons to foster an environment of success using teamwork, accountability, credibility and engagement. Sessions were conducted at ALC headquarters three times daily, each lasting about two-and-a-half hours. Though training material had been delivered to squadron leadership before, the classes represented a new approach for the management team, according to Josh Campbell, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex Business Transformation Office chief and course instructor. "By training the leadership team, it keeps us from having to repeat this over and over again," he said. "They go back to their organizations and do that themselves, throughout their squadrons, with their management chain all the way down to their frontline supervisors as they work toward their common goal - equipping their people, managing their resources and refining their processes." The first sessions included the leadership and flight chiefs of all five aircraft squadrons, though classes will eventually encompass other areas of the complex as well. "This is the beginning," said Campbell. "And the teaching capacity will already be there. This will become part of that foundation." Leigh Thompson, 402nd Aircraft Support Squadron director, has worked on base for 31 years and said she found the classes to be beneficial in enhancing relationships with her employees. "This helps me realize the importance of focusing on that. We have to focus on our people," she said. "It really teaches us how simple it is if we just follow through with these tools. That's the most important thing we can do in our job every day."