Welcome to the United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA). Congratulations on your attendance at this exceptionally prestigious level of enlisted professional military education. The staff members of the academy are dedicated to providing you an innovative and educational experience to broaden your abilities and encourage you to inspire others.

We are ever mindful the United States is engaged in operations across the full-spectrum. Accordingly, the United States Air Force is undergoing a transformation in response to the new global landscape, fiscal challenges, and adversaries who use non-traditional methods of attack and warfare. Our mission is to further develop your effectiveness as a senior enlisted leader in shaping future operations to meet those challenges. We will do that by focusing on National, Military and Air Power Strategy; Integrated Deterrence and Strategic Competition; and finally contemporary Senior Enlisted Leader Organizational Leadership Environments. Make no mistake, you can expect a highly rigorous academic experience. Success greatly depends on your ability to operate critically and efficiently in a time constrained environment.

The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy is the third level of enlisted PME. AFSNCOA prepares SNCOs to lead the enlisted force in the employment of air and space power in support of US national security objectives. There is a single in-resident AFSNCOA located at Maxwell AFB–Gunter Annex, Alabama.

The AFSNCOA program consists of 200 classroom hours, which prepares SNCOs to lead the enlisted force in the employment of air and space power in support of US national security objectives. Specifically, the AFSNCOA develops SNCOs strategic mindset to lead warfighters across a join domain.

Faculty:  The AFSNCOA faculty members are required to possess at least an associate’s degree from an accredited institution (or completed before the end of their first year of teaching) and complete the Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course (EPMEIC) before assignment to the academy. Within the first year of teaching, faculty must complete a 180-hour Teaching Internship at the school.

Duration:  The AFSNCOA program is delivered in 25 academic days. There are 6 classes each year with approximately 300 students in each class.

As a member of the United States Air Force, one of the sister military services, or one of our many Partnered Nations, your feedback on our course curriculum is vital to ensure we provide relevant and current instruction. As we continue to function in a joint and coalition environment, and as our world becomes more interdependent, academy leaders encourage and depend upon constructive feedback from all attendees to ensure we meet our mission.

CMSgt Robert Vensel 
Commandant

SNCOs from the total force; active-duty Air Force, selected Air Force Reserve (AFRES), and Air National Guard (ANG) may attend the in-resident AFSNCOA.  Selected Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, Coast Guard, and international military personnel also attend on a limited basis. Active-duty Air Force personnel must have at least one year of retainability following graduation. The Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFPC) identifies and notifies active-duty Air Force students for program attendance. Potential personnel should go through their Base/Formal Training Office for all questions regarding attendance, waivers and class dates. All students must meet their respective service standards.

The schoolhouse plays no part in active duty, guard or reserve student selection; contact your local Base/Formal Training Office if you would like to obtain a slot.  Reference AFI 36-2670, Total Force Development, for Active Duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve scheduling information.

Sister service members interested in attending should contact the following POCs:

US Army:  SGM Rhonda Byrd, Operations SGM, NCO Professional Development Directorate (rhonda.l.byrd2.mil@army.mil) 

US Marine Corps:  GySgt Jeremy Tolhurst, Marine Corps University (jeremy.tolhurst@usmcu.edu)

US Navy:  HMC Torrence Watkins, Asst. Command SEL Detailer (torrence.e.watkins.mil@us.navy.mil) 

US Space Force:  CMSgt Abifarin Scott, S1D POC (abifarin.scott@spacrforce.mil)

US Coast Guard:  MKCS Christopher Wilson, Office of Leadership (CG-128), Enlisted Professional Development (christopher.h.wilson@uscg.mil)

Students selected for the in-residence course may email Student Administration or call: Commercial (334) 416-1651//Cell (334) 201-2400 for any questions.

ALL students MUST be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption to attend SNCOA.  If you are in the process of receiving an exemption you must defer until it is approved, contact student administration for any questions. 

If you are unable to participate fully in the class you will need to work with your chain of command and Base/Formal Training Office to get a deferment within 10 days of class start date and to be rescheduled into a future class; the schoolhouse cannot assist you in this process.  MyPers deferment and declination procedures can be found here:  MyPers Link 1  and here:  MyPers Link 2

The Schoolhouse CANNOT provide information related to DTS (Lines of Accounting, Cross Orgs, etc...) as we do not have that information.  Please reach out to your Base/Formal Training Office for assistance. 

Arrival Assistance:
You are responsible for getting from the airport to lodging, below are two taxi companies that have base access and are open 24/7...you can schedule an airport pickup before departing home.

• GROOME Transportation Shuttle - 334-821-3399 (Reservations are required for direct route from Atlanta Airport to/from Maxwell-Gunter)
• Checker-Deluxe Cab Company - 334-538-8178
• On Time Taxi 334-505-1189

If you decide to use Uber or Lyft, it is recommended you confirm when booking the pickup that your driver has base access since not all drivers do. 

If you are driving, you can put the following into your GPS, Waze, or Apple Maps and it will bring you to the main gate...there will be signs from there directing you to lodging.  Please note the Maxwell-Gunter Annex back gate (Dalraida Gate) is CLOSED until further notice.
- 550 McDonald Street Montgomery, AL 36114
- Montgomery Humane Society (the main gate is across the street)

Pre-Class Preparations:
Information contained within this section is designed to assist students with preparation for attendance to the Air Force Senior NCO Academy (AFSNCOA).

- Students do NOT need to call the University Inn for lodging reservations. Rooms will be blocked off for AFSNCOA students so you should disregard any Non-A that DTS tries to provide.
  - In DTS: skip the lodging booking and select:
    - A: Reason - Code 7 - Military Lodging
    - B: Selection - Skip Lodging Booking
    - C: Add Comments - Lodging Already Booked
 Upon arrival, students should check-in at the University Inn lodging desk for room assignment.

Day of Education 1:
Class begins at 0730 in Bldg 1143 Kisling Hall (next to lodging), it is recommended you arrive 15 mins early
 - If you do not know which flight you are assigned there will be Cadre at the entrance to let you know
 - Uniform for DOE1 is OCPs or Service equivalent 

- Uniforms: You are no longer required to bring a dress uniform/blues or official PT gear 

- Leadership Contact Information:
Bring your chain of command contact information:  Commander, First Sergeant (name, duty phone number, email address) with you.

AFSNCOA Pricing:

NOTES:  The above items are sold in the Flight Room and may not be claimed on travel vouchers, prices are subject to change.

Laptop, Tablet E-device   

Students are to bring a government laptop computer from their home unit or a personal laptop/tablet (at your own expense). 

Course materials will be provided via our online learning management system (Canvas).  Abobe Reader or equivalent will provide the ability to highlight, and insert notes and comments. To alleviate the majority of issues with Canvas, ensure the latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox and Java are also downloaded on laptop or notebook.  Your instructor will provide guidance on Canvas requirements and show you how to navigate the system. *** Students do not need to do anything with Canvas prior to arriving for class.  
  
You will be required to complete homework assignments while at AFSNCOA. Classrooms and billeting are equipped with WI-FI (Non .mil address).  If bringing a government laptop ensure the computer has a “stand alone” configuration, VPN is operational, and Wi-Fi feature is on.   If bringing a personal laptop, ensure you have installed the DoD Root Certificates.

Information Assurance (IA) Training:
Your IA Training MUST remain current throughout the entire course.  If your IA Training expires, you will not have access to the AFNET Domain.

Vision 

AFSNCOA lessons include interaction with Common Access Card(CAC) enabled websites. It is strongly suggested that students have the ability to access CAC enabled websites on their personal device i.e. CAC reader.

Students are required to register in VISION prior to arrival. Registration link can be found here https://vision.apps.dso.mil/

Further directions and site information are outlined in this short video. https://www.loom.com/share/e3c40dbcaaa9410cab60416eabaeca53

Q: Do we need to bring blues/service dress and official PT gear?
A: No, blues/service dress and official PT gear are not required for SNCOA.

Q: What are the COVID protocols while at SNCOA?
A: Please visit the Maxwell AFB Website COVID-19 Information & Updates for the latest information.

Q: Are there gym/workout area restrictions?
A: The 42 FSS Fitness facilities are currently open.  Please visit Gunter Fitness Center/Annex - 42d Force Support Squadron for the latest information regarding hours of operation and visiting requirements.

Q: Will we have holidays off?
A: Yes, SNCOA observes all Federal holidays and AETC family days.

Q: Are there facilities for laundry in lodging?
A: Yes, there is a laundry room in each building.  The machines are free, but you need to bring/purchase your own detergent and dryer sheets.

Q: What will the flights look like?
A: Flights typically consist of 12-14 students from various AFSCs, ANG, AFRC, Sister Services and International Partners.

Q: Is there a DFAC and what type of payments do they take?
A: Yes, the Aviation Inn is right next to Lodging, and they take both cash and card.

Q: Are we allowed to travel on the weekends? How far?
A: Yes, you are allowed to travel on the weekends.  There are no limits on your travel though you are expected to return on time for class after the weekend.

Q: I’m flying and my unit won’t authorize a rental car, will I be able to walk to where I need to go?
A: University Inn and the DFAC are right next to the SNCOA, while all other services on Gunter Annex (Gym, Shoppette, Commissary, Bowling Alley) are all less than 1 mile from the lodging.

Q: I’m working DTS but I have not received my LOA, can you help?
A: SNCOA does not handle LOAs, that is an AETC TDY-to-School function.  You can reach them at 210-652-2971 or tdy.school@us.af.mil.  They should cross-org you the LOA a few days after you have signed and returned your training RIP.

Q: Do we book lodging through DTS?
A: No, SNCOA reserves your room for you. Any non-availability letter or notification of no lodging available received through DTS should be ignored.