Leadership Pathways paved at Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Personal enrichment classes have been available to Air Force community members for years; however, only until a newer program's creation could these individuals receive tangible rewards for attending.

"'Leadership Pathways' is an Air Force program with base-level incentives meant to attract individual attendance," said Lori Muzzana, 341st Missile Wing community support coordinator and program lead.

Incentives are broken into three tiers. The first, reached after attending eight classes, includes a certificate presented at the squadron level and one day off. The second, reached after attending 15 classes, includes a certificate presented at the group level and one day off. The third, reached after attending 20 classes, includes a certificate presented by the wing commander and one day off.

"The program recognizes several classes all aimed at providing attendees the necessary tools to help them become resilient before there's a need," Muzzana added. "The more information you gain the better off you're going to be."

Muzzana used the example of a young Airman who's attended a financial class, where the knowledge gained helps them develop a budget. If they implement the budget, stick to it and begin saving from the dividends it produces then when they're faced with a high-price emergency they should be prepared.

Leadership Pathways was implemented in January 2012; however, management of the program was previously given to individuals as an additional duty. Only until the recent creation of the community support coordinator position has management of the program been assigned to one individual.

Muzzana, the Wing's former Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, says of her new job, "It allows me to oversee programs and opportunities that reinforce elements that I believe in. If you give the Airmen and their families these resources, they'll function at a level that's unsurpassable."

Although the program is available to Airmen, dependents and civilians, some restrictions apply. Dependents will not receive a certificate but the classes they attend will be added to their sponsor Airman's total number of classes attended. According to Air Force Instruction 36-1004, "Civilian Recognition Program," civilians cannot receive time-off awards for the program but will still be awarded a certificate.

To take advantage of the program, interested individuals can attend any of the classes currently listed on Page 5 of the 341st Force Support Squadron Marketing office's "the Beacon" magazine. The list includes several classes being offered by the Career Advisor's office, Health and Wellness Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Family Advocacy office and Chapel. After completing the class the attendee must sign in on the Leadership Pathways sign-in for the class and complete a conclusion survey.

"These organizations help strengthen the pillars of our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health, equipping us to better thrive as human beings," Muzzana said.

As the program lead Muzzana is willing to accept classes not currently listed. These classes; however, must meet the below criteria:

1. Benefit the attendees' physical, spiritual, emotional or mental well-being.
2. Cannot be a mandatory class.
3. If a class involves several sessions, all sessions must be attended; but the overall class will only count as one class.

"I'm willing to hear from other organizations as well, if they have classes they wish to add," she said. "We can certainly expand upon this class list."

For more information or questions, call Muzanna at 731-4225.