• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Connection in the Classroom

February 26, 2015 By admin



FEBRUARY 26, 2015, PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) – The Patrick Air Force Base Professional Development Center (PDC) is not just a place for professional and leadership education, but as of Feb. 11, it’s the most technically advanced professional development center in the Air Force.

Using iPads instead of paper and styluses instead of pens, the development center equips their students with leadership tools and experiences without purchasing a single sheet of paper. With the recent addition of virtual communications apps like Skype and FaceTime, students can attend classes from anywhere saving the Air Force and the Airmen, time and money.

The first trial of this virtual classroom offers students the opportunity to take professional development classes using their own virtual communication devices from almost anywhere. Students who use the virtual classroom can participate in classes and receive the same leadership knowledge and skills as their physically present counterparts.

According to Master Sgt. Ted Byerly, the Patrick AFB Airman Leadership School commandant, since going paperless the PDC has saved around $10,000 a year. Byerly estimates going virtual will have even higher savings for the entire Air Force.

“TDYs are about $300 to $500 for a one-day class depending on the distance of travel,? he said. ?A one-week class would be about $700 to $1,000 a person. We could save the Air Force $125,000 a year if we ran just eight (virtual) classes, and the potential is even greater considering we have 52 iPads.”

One of the strongest advocates for the program is Chief Master Sgt. Craig Neri, the 45th Space Wing command chief.

“In financially strapped times such as these, switching to ‘virtual classrooms’ comes as a good solution,” Neri said. “Using the latest technology, our professional development center team continues to employ efficient, cost-saving methods to not only make us more efficient but also increase capability. Examples like this are why they are the 2013 Air Force Professional Development Center of the Year and the 2014 Air Force Space Command nominee as well.”

Master Sgt. Jennifer Martinez, the 45th SW career assistance advisor, came up with the idea of creating a virtual classroom.

“I was told that several personnel assigned at remote locations could not attend our courses due to lack of funding,? Martinez said. ?I knew we had the capability to provide these services virtually and wanted to ensure everyone received the same professional enhancement opportunities as those assigned to Patrick AFB, especially at locations without bases or Air Force personnel to mentor or provide onsite professional development opportunities.

“It is very exciting to see how the advanced technology provided by the 45th Space Wing is going to enable our Airmen to grow and become phenomenal leaders in the Air Force,? she said. ?Everyone should have an opportunity to take leadership skills courses and professional enhancement seminars without being hindered due to their assigned duty location. These opportunities are vital to the success of our future leaders.”

The courses that will be offered virtually are the First Term Airman Course, NCO Enhancement Seminar, Informed Decision Seminar, and all professional development courses that provide supervisory, leadership, management, mentorship and teambuilding training.

Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians, to include those in the Reserve and Guard, who are interested in attending classes virtually from any remote location, or their assigned duty location, will be able to attend professional development enhance opportunities at the 45th SW Professional Development Center.

Filed Under: Air Force, daniel articles, Top News

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • Peering Into The Future: NATO 2030 Initiative Announced
  • Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • What Military Branch Sees the Most Combat?
  • From Belarus “With Love”, Yet Again

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x