Leadership through learning

  • Published
  • By Airman Collin Schmidt
  • 341 Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Developing leaders who have the ability to work as part of a team is essential to maintaining the most powerful Air Force the world has ever known. In order to accomplish this, Airmen who are willing to learn and put in the time and effort required to succeed is indispensable, service before self at its finest.

For one of Team Malmstrom's very own, Capt. Clayton Cox, 341st Missile Wing assistant staff judge advocate, his goal of furthering his education while serving his country was realized as he was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Inter-American Squadron Officer School.

"I found out that I had been selected to attend while I was in training down in Montgomery, Alabama," said Cox. "The commandant of the school I was attending at the time actually announced it in front of the class and it was pretty exciting.

"Looking back on it, I was a little shocked so I don't think I really looked excited as I was as the colonel gave me the news," Cox continued. "It took a minute to set in."

The program, based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is designed to develop dynamic Airmen who are ready to lead air, space and cyberspace power in an expeditionary war-fighting environment.

The course Cox will be taking is completely based around the Spanish language and he will train with future Latin American Regional Affairs Specialists and other officers with a Spanish-language background.

"A lot of what we learn to do is build relationships with Latin American and South American allies," Cox said. "It also provides our Latin and South American counterparts with U.S. officer training. The primary function is to build international relations."

According to Cox, the thing he is looking forward to the most is training with international officers and learning in a team-building environment.

"I also am also looking forward to brushing up on my Spanish," said Cox. "Montana isn't exactly the easiest place to practice Spanish so it will be a good opportunity."

Because of the total immersion into the Spanish language, Cox prepared by listening to Spanish podcasts, reading Spanish texts and describing anything and everything he could in the Spanish language as he walked to work from his home on base.

"It was a constant preparation day in and day out," said Cox.

Looking toward the future, becoming the best leader possible and understanding the Air Force's role as it relates to international relations are some of Cox's biggest goals.

"We play a world-wide role and I believe that understanding that picture will help make me a better officer and leader," said Cox. "Seeing our place in the international community and becoming a part of that is something I really look forward to."