The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA) is the third level of enlisted PME. AFSNCOA prepares senior NCOs to lead the enlisted force in the employment of airpower in support of US national security objectives. There is a single resident AFSNCOA located at Maxwell AFB–Gunter Annex, along with a DL option.

The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA) Advanced Leadership Experience (ALE) is a resident CCAF-affiliated program that consists of 200 classroom hours. The ALE prepares SNCOs for increased leadership responsibilities in the joint, combined, and interagency operating/strategic environment. Specifically, the AFSNCOA ALE educates SNCOs to help them become adaptable, critically thinking, and strategically relevant leaders in their operating environment.  Students may attend the ALE only after successfully completing the SNCOA DL program. During the ALE, students apply their understanding of SNCOA DL program concepts as well as additional concepts they learn in the resident program. 

Learning Outcomes. SNCOA ALE program prepares SNCOs to

• lead the enlisted force;
• effectively communicate rank-appropriate tasks; and
• model and develop professional military attributes.

Faculty. The AFSNCOA faculty members are required to have an associate’s degree (or fall within one year of completion) and to complete the Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course (EPMEIC) before assignment to the academy. Within the first year of teaching, faculty must complete a 120-hour internship at the school.

Duration. The AFSNCOA program is delivered in 25 academic days. There are 6 classes each year with 300 to 450 students in each class.

Eligibility. SNCOs from the total force, active-duty Air Force, selected Air Force Reserve (AFRES), and Air National Guard (ANG) may attend the resident AFSNCOA. Selected Army, Navy, 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 identifies and notifies active-duty students for ALE program attendance. Air Force students must meet Air Force standards.  Students from other services must meet their service’s standards.

All students must complete SNCOA Distance Learning (DL) program in order to attend the resident program. The SNCOA DL must be completed prior to promotion to senior master sergeant. 

Reference AFI 36-2301, Developmental Education, and the ETCA website at https://etca.randolph.af.mil for additional information.

The academic portion of the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy can be accessed via the Air Force Portal.  Air Force personnel Click Here .  Sister Services, please contact student support:  Commercial (334) 416-1651 or DSN 596-1651.

For information about the AFSNCOA Correspondence course, call:  1-800-262-9140 Option 4