Commentary: A case for command education Published Feb. 19, 2014 By Col. Kurt Lambert 349th Medical Group TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Have you ever heard a squadron commander say, "I was fully confident and prepared for Command the day I took that guidon." The finest Air Force in the world spends billions of dollars each year to prepare and train our force in every aspect of their career. From basic training to technical, flight, noncommissioned officer schools and the plethora of professional military education, the list is almost endless. We dominate airspace worldwide because of our training, and the professionalism of our Airmen. We would never allow a mechanic, pilot or doctor to perform a function or procedure, without first being certified and proficient in the task at hand. Not so, when it comes to handing the reins to a new Squadron Commander. We choose an individual that has shown overall leadership potential, but require they perform with no real "nuts and bolts" training in the art of squadron dynamics. There is a four 1/2 day Squadron Commanders Course, but for the most part, it's "on the job training". We give them command authority without real prior command knowledge. So we compensate by surrounding ourselves with people that have experience, and the proper training in their respective fields, and trust they will advise and help us in our decision making. I've actually had squadron commanders try and lure members from sister squadrons to stack the deck for their team. And while it is unrealistic to expect a commander to be an expert in everything, we should have basic knowledge in every function of squadron life. The answer, short of a real school, is the creation of a "commander in training" position where this individual sits in with the current Commander for a year. I'm not talking about an executive type position, but one where they attend every meeting, and sit in and participate in the decision making process, to gain knowledge of the daily grind of the job they're about to take. We do this with our doctors in this country, but we call it a "residency" or "fellowship," and it works well. We need a "one on one" mentor to keep squadron commanders from having to endure the scars of their predecessors, and to keep them from disrupting the flow of the mission, when the change comes.