Hello and welcome to the Gunter Noncommissioned Officer Academy (GNCOA), where our mission is to educate noncommissioned officers to manage and lead innovative Air and Space Professionals. Throughout your time here at GNCOA, you will expand your knowledge regarding the following four outcomes-based objectives: Air Force Culture, Leadership, Problem Solving, and the Joint Mission. NCOA is a professional school designed to educate and advance the high ideals necessary for leadership, teamwork, good order and discipline in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

We expect your time at NCOA will be both challenging and rewarding, as you push through the various lesson concepts and evaluate your own styles of leadership to ensure you are being the best version of yourselves for your units and subordinates, as well as for YOU. Now is as good of a time as any to make any necessary changes and become the best that we can be. In doing so, we know that we will have achieved educational excellence for noncommissioned officers….developing enlisted leaders for America.

AF EPME Mandatory Prerequisite Readings

The Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) is the second level of enlisted PME and prepares Technical Sergeants to be professional, war-fighting Airmen and Space Professionals who can manage and lead units in the employment of Air and Space power.  

The NCOA program is a substantial investment of resources, personnel, and facilities; all dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to lead people and manage resources. Senior leadership strongly supports this investment because of the importance they place on strengthening enlisted leadership.  The goals of the NCO Academy program are to provide the best academic program possible and to maintain our service's high military standards. 

Required Items

Items to Bring  

Bring a copy of your student information work sheet (Attachment 1 from Welcome email), AF Form 422 (if applicable), AF Form 469 (if applicable), current PT assessment, and personal/government laptop.   

Student Information Worksheet   

This document will be uploaded into Canvas. Make sure to save the file on the electronic device you plan to bring with you to class.   
 

Medical Profiles 

Contact your unit training manager if you have a profile, limitation, or restriction. All medical profiles must be pre-coordinated with the Gunter NCOA NLT 30 days prior to the class start date. Formal training managers will coordinate profiles with the Gunter NCOA.   

Upon arrival in the flight room, all medical profiles must be given to Flight Instructors by the end of DOE 1. 
 
Permanent Profiles

Personnel with a certified permanent physical profile (AF Form 422) are eligible to attend BUT subject to approval. Provide a copy of the AF Form 422 to the Formal Training office for coordination with the Gunter NCOA NLT 35-days prior to class start date. 
 
NOTE: Students with fitness assessments that expire during class, uncoordinated profiles, or uncoordinated changes to their profiles are subject to immediate release from the school. 

Air Force Fitness Test

Students must possess a copy of a PASSING AF Fitness Test showing them current through the duration of the course. Upon arrival, AF Fitness Assessment must be given to Flight Instructors on DOE 1. 

Clothing & Uniform Requirements

Personal Clothing  

Appropriate civilian attire will be required to be worn at social gatherings. 

Uniform Requirements   

All uniforms will be in compliance with DAFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel.  
The service dress and OCPs are required while attending the Gunter NCO Academy. Bring at least one set of the Air Force Physical Training Gear (PTG). PT will not be conducted as a class or flight, but there may be opportunities for fitness challenges/competitions where PTG will be required.
 
OCPs will be the primary uniform-of-the-day. We recommend you bring at least two sets of each uniform combination. You MUST have one set of any combination of the service uniform with ALL accouterments. Service Coat is Mandatory and will be worn on graduation. 
 
Due to climate conditions in the building, it's advised that all students bring some type of authorized layer to be worn under the OCP blouse. Even during the summer months, temperatures can fluctuate throughout the building and we cannot control this. 
 
All authorized badges, ribbons and nametag (blue) are mandatory and required on the service uniform. ANG/AFR members may not wear state decorations while on federal service. The pewter nametag is only worn on the service coat. 
 
Check your service low-quarters for dry-rot on the soles. If they are cracked and deteriorating they must be replaced before arrival.  

Please ensure all additional accessory items are in compliance with DAFI 36-2903.  

TECHNOLOGY 

Laptop, Tablet E-device   

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

Course materials will be provided via our online learning management system (eCanvas).  Adobe 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, Mircrosoft Edge or Firefox and Java are also downloaded on laptop or notebook. 
  
You will be required to complete homework assignments while at NCOA. 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.