Barnes Center brings enlisted PME to AU campus Published May 9, 2025 By Brian Ferguson Barnes Center for Enlisted Education MAXWELL AFB, Ala. -- The headquarters for Air Force enlisted professional military education is now on Air University’s Chennault Circle, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education Commander Col. Damian Schlussel, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David A. Flosi and Barnes Center Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. Sean Ellenburg cut the ribbon at the new Barnes Center, building 1400, during a ceremony, May 9, 2025. Chennault Circle, also known as the “Academic circle,” was constructed in the 1950s and is the heart of Air University's educational campus. Historically, the circle is known for officer education and training. Educational programs on the circle include the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School and the new Air Force Warrant Officer Training School. “The Barnes Center’s move from Maxwell’s Gunter Annex to Chennault Circle symbolizes the importance of enlisted education and the promotion of Airmindedness across the entirety of our force.” Schlussel said during his remarks. “There are no mission sets that are accomplished in the Air Force without the direct involvement of enlisted Airmen, so our PME experiences should mirror that enlisted, officer synergy.” Air Force enlisted PME is created and provided through the Barnes Center, named after the service's fourth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. The center educates and trains more than 12,000 enlisted servicemembers annually Before becoming the Air Force’s top enlisted Airman, Barnes committed himself to advancing enlisted PME as the Air Training Command senior enlisted advisor in 1971. His efforts, combined with the efforts of the third Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Richard Kisling, led to the creation of the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy in 1972. In January 1973, the first SNCOA graduating class included three future Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force: James McCoy, Sam Parish and Thomas Barnes. “I think Chief Barnes would be pleased to see an enlisted PME presence on Maxwell.” Ellenburg said. “We should always remain committed to developing our enlisted Airmen, and this move helps solidify professional military education’s role in that development. Now the AU Academic Circe is complete” Enlisted servicemembers make up 80% of the Department of the Air Force’s active-duty population; approximately 260,000 Airmen and Guardians. PME courses are required for promotions to most ranks. Barnes Center programs include Airman Leadership School, the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the Chief Leadership Academy, the Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course, the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute and Foundations Courses for the Airman, NCO and SNCO enlisted tiers. “CMSgt Thomas N. Barnes ranked his efforts to promote enlisted professional military education among his most important contributions to the force,” Schlussel said. “With the ribbon cutting today, Chief Barnes’ contributions and impact continue as an enduring symbol of the importance of strengthening enlisted PME and developing enlisted warfighters through education now and into the future.”