Air University Revamps Squadron Officer School Curriculum

Maxwell Air Force Base's Air University has given its Squadron Officer School (SOS) a major makeover! After five months of intense work, the new and improved courses officially launched on July 31st.

Focusing on Modern Warfare

This curriculum refresh is all about prepping officers for success in today's challenging environment. Think joint force operations and contested spaces. The courses emphasize warfighter ethos, understanding the Air Force Planning Process, and the exciting new deployable combat wing concept.

What's New?

According to Col. Steven Ayre, SOS Commandant, the goal is simple: to give Air Force captains the absolute best training possible. The updated curriculum aligns with the Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) deployment model, ensuring captains are ready for anything, whether deployed or back at home base.

Experiential Learning Takes Center Stage

Forget endless lectures! The new SOS prioritizes hands-on experience. Classroom time has been drastically reduced (from 53 hours to just 24!), while experiential learning has more than doubled (from 39 to a whopping 86 hours!).

Connecting the Dots

Lt. Col. Ryan McGuire, 33rd Student Squadron Commander, highlights the interconnectedness of the new curriculum. Everything from day one to day 25 is linked, creating a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience. Expect increased physical training and a deeper understanding of the material.

Preparing for the Future

The revised curriculum tackles warfighting, A-Staff integration, and the AFPP head-on. Captains will get valuable repetitions for their Air Force Specialty Code-specific A-Staff functions, setting them up for success when they return to their units.

A Team Effort

Maj. George Pieros, 30th Student Squadron flight commander and instructor, points out the importance of the faculty's expertise in this rapid curriculum rewrite. "The benefit of having a school like this where we could leverage the expertise and the strengths of our faculty members…proved itself in this curriculum rewrite," said McGuire. "They are motivated and believe in what we do here."