squadron officer school - air university · squadron officer school sos course 22 distance learning...

Squadron Officer School

SOS Course 22 Distance Learning Program (MSOS003)

Student Handbook

March 2016

SOS/DL MSOS003 P a g e 2

Contents

Message from the Dean………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

SOS/DL Program……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Program Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Student Engagement……………….……………………………………………………………………………………………12

Frequently Asked Questions...………………………………………………………………………………………………14


Message from the Dean Welcome students! As the Academic Dean for Squadron Officer College, I am fortunate to join SOC

at a time of unprecedented growth for this successful distance learning program as it continues to

evolve to meet the needs of the USAF. It is my responsibility to create opportunities for our

Distance Learning students to have a successful Professional Military Education experience.

Though we strive to challenge the bounds of distance learning and show creativity in curriculum

design and course work, we remain rooted to and informed by our rich USAF heritage. The very

mission of PME is to provide access to high quality education for diverse populations of learners,

stationed around the globe. You will discover the courses within this program of study include

broad topics distilled through elements of historical significance. The lesson narratives, reading

materials and assessments are designed to improve your professional knowledge and to prepare

you for your next level of leadership, regardless if that is in the active, reserve, guard, or civilian Air

Force.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a Joint Education White Paper (July 2012) that

stated, "The enduring purpose of Professional Military Education (PME) is to develop leaders by

conveying professional knowledge and developing habits of the mind essential to our profession."

The SOS/DL PME program was created to challenge you and engage your critical thinking skills.

Feel free to let me know what you think of this program of study; the courses are full of content

based on suggestions from previous students. The SOC DL team welcomes feedback, so don’t

hesitate to contact us during your program.

Enjoy this PME journey.

//Signed//

JOSEPH Y THOMAS, Lt Col, PhD, USAF

Dean, Squadron Officer College


Chapter 1

Squadron Officer School Distance Learning Program

1. Program Information

1.1 Handbook Purpose - The student guide is provided to give you a better understanding of the Squadron Officer School (SOS) Distance Learning (DL) Program. The faculty and staff of the SOS/DL program have compiled pertinent information that is important to your progression and completion of this program. All of the information included is available for reference on the SOC website at http://www.au.af.mil/au/soc/msos003.asp

1.2 Program Overview - The faculty and staff of Air University and the Squadron Officer

College have collaborated to create a dynamic distance learning curriculum far Squadron Officer School. The SOS/DL course covers the same developmental requirements as the SOS Resident experience and uses similar content for many of the lessons. The course is modular and self-contained in the Blackboard Learning Management System, accessible anywhere with an internet connection. The SOS/DL course is a major step forward in focused education to deliver the right content to the right audience at the right time.

1.3 Structure and Sequence - The curriculum consists of four courses, three self-paced

asynchronous courses that are modular in the following order: 22A Communication and International Security Strategies, 22B Leadership, and 22C Warfare and Profession of Arms. The fourth course which is the capstone for the SOS DL Program is 22D Integration and Application. This capstone course is facilitated, helping transcend the old “box of books” methodology. You must complete the SOS/DL Program within 18 months of your enrollment date. There is no requirement to complete a certain test within a specified time frame as long as all tests and the work for Course 22D are successfully completed within the 18 months. The SOS/DL program includes a fourth course of instruction that is facilitated by SOS faculty to allow students in the DL environment an opportunity to develop relationships with their peers, which correlates to the resident experience. Students will need to adhere to the SOS Course 22D schedule located on the Blackboard home page and select a class in AUSIS once they are have completed with Course 22C. Instructions for selecting a facilitated course are located in the notes section of the facilitated schedule on Blackboard. Course 22D is four weeks in length so it is imperative to plan your coursework accordingly to comply with the timeline.

1.4 Admission - Eligibility requirements for admission into the SOS/DL Program are

established IAW AFI 36-2301.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/soc/msos003.asp


1.5 Curriculum Summary 1.5.1 Contact Hours

1.5.2 Course Description

1.5.2.1 22A Communication and International Security Strategy - This course combines communication studies and international security studies in a process- purpose pairing. The process-purpose construct as presented in this course is applicable to the individual, team, organizational, and national levels of interaction. For this course, we consider the purposes that deal with the security of the nation in the international security environment, for which good communications skills are critical.

1.5.2.2 22B Leadership - This course develops the foundational pillars for successful Air Force leadership. Introspection, followership, full-range leadership styles, and associated behaviors are presented as tools to hone professionalism, humility, self-control, and personal discipline that lead to successful mission accomplishment. Further, problem-solving, decision-making, and process skills improvement are recommended additional tools that contribute to reliable data analyses, informed decision-making success, and anticipation of second and third-order effects. The study of social leadership acumen is provided in order to develop advanced skills in accountability, diversity, team building, coaching and mentoring, as well as leadership and counseling. Lessons at the strategic level provide a macro view for developing leaders. Finally, resource management, strategic tools, strategic thinking, and leading change in organizations are addressed as key areas for organizational success and ultimately, mission accomplishment.

1.5.2.3 22C Warfare and Profession of Arms - The Warfare and Profession of Arms course illustrates how company grade officers conduct themselves and lead others as warriors and Airmen. Students learn how their unique profession stresses the importance of keeping themselves and their people physically, mentally, and spiritually well in order to accomplish the mission. Additionally, course materials explain how Air Force core values and Airmanship form the basis of ethical conduct, which is manifest in part through the military justice system. Students also learn the tools of their trade, to include how Air Force doctrine guides the application of airpower through the service’s roles and mission. Because the Air Force is just one part of the joint fight, students learn how sister services operate by

MSOS003 Courses Contact Hours 22A Communication and International Security Studies 68 22B Leadership 36 22C Warfare and Profession of Arms 66 22D Integration and Application 23 Total 193


themselves and with the Air Force, as well as how joint planning concepts synergistically employ all services in accomplishing mission objectives.

1.5.2.4 22D Integration and Application - In this course, students work independently and in groups on a variety of projects designed to demonstrate their content mastery of the preceding three courses. These projects include developing personal biographies and development plans as well as analyzing journal articles. Students provide feedback to their peers prior to the submission of projects to SOS instructors for review and scoring. Online forums with discussion questions are available for student response and comment. Most assignments are graded on a points basis, determined by your facilitator. To pass this course, you must complete all of your assignments on time, and achieve a minimum of 80 total points. Failure to complete all assignments and achieve the 80 point minimum will result in having to re-take Course 22D and submitting all new work (previous assignments from the failed course will not be accepted). For this course, students must select their four-week, instructor led, DL section. The schedule of classes for Course 22D is located on the Blackboard homepage under the section titled Course 22D Facilitated Schedule.

1.5.3 Attendance - Students are required to complete the SOS/DL Program within 18 months of enrollment. It is imperative that students take into account the time needed to register and complete the final course, Course 22D. In the facilitated course, which is four weeks in length, there are no specified times during the day when students must be active in the course. However, students are expected to meet minimum participation requirements in all class activities and complete all class assignments by the assignment due date.

1.5.4 Course Material - After registering for the program, students are granted access to the Blackboard® Learning Management System where their courses are stored. There they will find a list of the materials needed to complete each course in electronic format: online articles, reading extracts, video presentations, digital workbooks, etc. In addition to housing courseware, Blackboard® serves as the collaborative learning tool supporting asynchronous discussion forums, as well as schedules, syllabi, and other related materials.

1.5.5 Program Completion - Students must complete the self-study courses requirements with scores of at least 70 percent. Exams for Course 22A, 22B, and 22C are administered at your local Test Control Facility. The minimum score for completion of course 22D is 80 percent. Once students complete the program, final grades will be updated in AUSIS. MilPDS records will be updated within 72 hours of program completion. The registrar will send the official certificate of completion approximately six weeks after final grades are posted. DOD civilians will be required to take a copy of their certificate of completion to their local Civilian Personnel Office for records update.


1.6 Benefits of SOS/DL - Upon completion of the SOS/DL program, all USAF officers will earn Primary Developmental Education credit. If you are USN, USA, or USMC student, you will need to contact your service’s Professional Military Education office for more information on the transfer of approved educational credit. 1.6.1 Program Learning Outcomes - The SOS/DL Program produces graduates who are

able to: Describe the challenges of leading Airmen in a dynamic, resource- constrained

environment Understand the application of introspection and theoretical leadership

constructs as leadership tools Identify the responsibilities of an Air Force officer leading Airmen at the

flight/team level Describe systematic approaches to decision-making and continuous process

improvement Summarize the broad capabilities and roles airpower plays in joint and coalition

operations to achieve national objective


Chapter 2

Program Policies

2. Course Withdrawal 2.1 Student Initiated Program Withdrawal. Students who choose not to continue in the

SOS/DL Program may formally withdraw by submitting the information outlined below to the SOS/DL support desk. Students who withdraw from the program and later return are subject to the requirements listed in the latest AU Catalog. To withdraw from the program, submit a trouble-ticket to the SOS/DL support desk at http://www.aueducationsupport.com providing the following information: Full Name/Rank Last four of SSN Effective date of withdrawal Course currently enrolled Service component: (Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Service, if other than Air Force) Reason for withdrawing from the program

2.2 Administrative Program Withdrawal. Students are expected to progress steadily

through the SOS/DL program and conduct themselves with integrity. Student conduct and/or dishonesty that disrupt the successful achievement of the AU mission are intolerable. Students whose unprofessional or inappropriate behavior disrupts class activities may be subject to disciplinary action. This action could range from a reduction in the course grade to dismissal from the program. Students are required to complete the program within 18 months of enrollment. AUSIS will send out reminders once you are within 90 days of your course end date. If you are not able to complete the program within the 18 month timeframe, you must request an extension. If you do not request an extension, you will be administratively dis-enrolled. However, this will delay completion of SOS via Distance Learning. For other guidelines regarding timelines for completing SOS reference AFI 36-2301.

2.3 Course Disclaimer. Views or opinions expressed or implied in this program should not be construed as carrying official sanction of the Air Education and Training Command or the Department of the Air Force. This program has been reviewed and approved by competent personnel of the preparing command according to the current directives on doctrine, policy, essentiality, propriety, and quality. SOS Course 22 contains copyrighted material. Do not reproduce course documents in whole or in part due to copyrights without permission from the Spaatz Center, Education Support Squadron Production Department. For other questions with regard to reproduction of copyrighted material reference Spaatz Center OI 51-1.

http://www.aueducationsupport.com/


Dissemination of copyrighted material is not authorized (i.e., selling the material, providing material to a commercial company for use etc…). All copyrighted material conforms to the copyright laws of the United States and may not be further reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright holder. Squadron Officer College instruction addresses enduring concepts. Textbook articles were selected because they support one or more of these concepts. The articles may refer to current events; however, those events are not the focus of instruction. Some articles may contain information overtaken by events, but the concepts remain valid.

2.4 Academic Integrity. Integrity is a cornerstone of the military profession and permeates every aspect of military service. Within this academic environment, integrity is important to ensure graduates are skilled in the areas prescribed by joint and Air Force directives and to preserve the validity of the SOS/DL program. AU Instruction 36-2609, Academic Integrity defines academic integrity as “Uncompromising adherence to a code of ethics, morality, conduct, scholarship, and other values related to academic activity.” Every student enrolled in the SOS/DL program is responsible for adhering to this standard. To access AU Instruction 36-2609 Academic Integrity cut and paste the following link into your browser (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/au/publication/aui36-2609/aui36-2609.pdf) Collaboration and discussion in the online environment among students in the facilitated course is highly encouraged, but each student is expected to do his/her own work. It is a breach of integrity to use, receive, or give work to another student outside of a particular course. Academic integrity violations constitute one of the following actions: 2.4.1 Cheating. The act of giving or receiving improper assistance such as, but not limited

to, copying answers from another’s exam, copying from your own previous exam, using references not authorized for use during exams or other assigned work, knowingly permitting another to copy your work or answers from an exam, and collaborating with other persons on individual assignments, except as permitted, constitutes a violation of academic integrity. Unauthorized discussion, disclosure or possession of exam questions is a violation of Article 92 and Article 133, UCMJ.

2.4.2 Misrepresentation. The act of making an assertion to intentionally deceive or

mislead. Misrepresentation may be an oral or written statement that is misleading or deceiving and meant to be so; for example, false reporting. Students enrolled in a course, who have previously taken the same course (or a variant of it), and attempt to resubmit papers or other work in fulfillment of a current assignment while disguising the fact that it is a resubmission, are guilty of misrepresentation.

2.4.3 Plagiarism. The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of another’s writings, other ideas or language of the same, and passing

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/au/publication/aui36-2609/aui36-2609.pdf

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/au/publication/aui36-2609/aui36-2609.pdf


them off as your own product. You must properly cite quotations or paraphrased passages within any written work submitted to the SOS/DL program. This includes any work you’ve done on previous papers—you must cite yourself!

2.5 Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Grievances. AU schools publish guidance for students regarding school policies, to amplify guidance in AUI 36-2611, Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Grievances. When presented with a written complaint, school staff members at each level of authority will respond in a timely manner and address actions and outcomes, if any. 2.5.1 Student Rights. Students enrolled in resident or non-resident AU courses are

afforded certain rights that contribute to their overall success and satisfaction. Students have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race,

gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, and national origin. Students have the right to be free from sexual harassment. Students have the right to open and free expression of thoughts and concepts in

an environment of academic freedom, consistent with the interests of good order and discipline under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. See also AUI 36-2308, Academic Freedom.

Students have the right to ownership of appropriate intellectual property. Note: In accordance with AFI 51-303, Intellectual Property--Patents, Patent Related Matters, Trademarks and Copyrights, materials developed using Air Force appropriated funds may not be copyrighted by the individual, but are the property of the United States Government. AU/JA is available to answer any questions students may have concerning ownership of intellectual property.

Students have the right to submit a written complaint on AU policies, procedures or actions through the AU chain of command.

Students have the right to due process. See AFI 90-301, Inspector General Complaints Resolution.

2.5.2 Student Responsibilities. Students enrolled in AU programs are ultimately

responsible for their success by fulfilling program requirements with due diligence and dedication to excellence. Students will abide by appropriate military/department/agency rules,

regulations and standards of conduct. Students will abide by AU academic policies and procedures, and those of the

school/course in which they are enrolled. Students will respect the opinions and rights of other students. Students will adequately prepare for each class. Students will uphold academic integrity.

2.5.3 Complaints and Grievances. Informal complaints. Every AU student is expected to provide constructive feedback about the programs they attend using the mechanisms provided by the


servicing school or center. There is no requirement for leadership to provide a written response to informal complaints. Formal complaints. SOS students have the right to formally present a program-related grievance or complaint in writing. Matters should be addressed at the lowest authority level possible, but may be elevated through the chain of command when attempts at satisfactory resolution fail. Academic matters – SOS/DL Courses 22 A, B, and C. The chain of command for Courses A, B, and C academic matters will start with SOS/DL student services. Students will submit a trouble ticket that will be forwarded to the course director. If the course director cannot satisfactorily address the complaint or grievance, the issue will be forwarded to the SOS/DL Division Chief and will continue on to the Dean, Vice Commandant and Commandant if lower levels of authority cannot resolve the issue. Academic matters – SOS/DL Course 22D. The chain of command for Course D academic matters will start with the student’s instructor. If the instructor cannot satisfactorily address the complaint or grievance, the issue will be forwarded to the course director and will continue on to the SOS/DL Division Chief, Dean, Vice Commandant and Commandant if lower levels of authority cannot resolve the issue. Non-academic matters – Non-Resident. The chain of command for non- academic matters, for all non-resident SOS courses will follow the same academic chain above. Right to File a Complaint. Individuals have the right to file a complaint with the Inspector General at any level without going through supervisory/command channels first. When elevating to a higher level authority, the student is responsible to notify the current level authority in writing. The highest decision authority for resolving a formal complaint is the school commander or equivalent. Appeals. After a final decision is rendered, if a student has a grievance about the school’s formal complaint handling process, the student may appeal in writing to the Spaatz Center Commander. Decisions made at this level are final. Notification. Notification of the final decision on formal complaints involving academic matters at AU will be provided to the Academic Affairs office. Notification of final decision on formal complaints involving non-academic matters will be provided to appropriate AU staff agencies.


Chapter 3

Student Engagement

3. Student Support

3.1 Student Services and Technical Support. Student support is paramount for any distance learning program. Here at Squadron Officer College, we value our students and the support that is offered. As a general rule, SOS/DL is the primary point of contact for the asynchronous self-paced courses. If you experience technical issues within the course, request support by submitting a support ticket to the SOS/DL Student Services by following the instructions below. Due to the high volume of student inquiries, please utilize the ticket system as your primary option regarding assistance. In the facilitated section (Course 22D), your instructor will serve as the point of contact for issues in that course. Blackboard’s message system is not a forum for venting grievances or complaints. Students who wish to file a complaint should review section 2.5.3 in this document. Students have the ability to provide suggestions for improvements to administrative, programmatic, or curriculum-related policies using the end of program survey. 3.1.1 Technical Issues: For technical issues, contact the SOS/DL Student Services by

opening a support ticket with the AU Education Support Center (www.aueducationsupport.com). Enter your contact information and ticket description as described in the list below. User Type: Current Student Organization: Squadron Officer College Program: SOS/DL Request Type Detail: Select appropriate response Problem Details: Provide a detailed description of the problem or issue you are

having and include a screen shot if possible.

3.2 Air University Registrar (AU/CFR). The AU Registrar tracks resident and non-resident PME for all AU schools. Using the AUREPM system, registrar personnel oversee the proper documentation of program completion AF wide. The AU Registrar’s Officer PME Office is responsible for the Developmental Education (DE) record updates to AFPC. This office can be reached via email at [email protected]. 3.2.1 Diploma/Transcript. The AU Registrar office provides certificates for SOS/DL

program. These certificates are typically printed and mailed each Wednesday with delivery usually within 7-10 duty days CONUS, 4-6 weeks for overseas. If you have not received your certificate within 30 days of your course conclude date or you need a replacement certificate, submit a support ticket to the AU Education Support site at (www.aueducationsupport.com) and select the AU Registrar. You must include your full name, rank, last four SSN, current mailing address, course number/title, and date you completed the course.

http://www.aueducationsupport.com/

mailto:[email protected]


3.3 Reserve/Guard Point Credit. Air National Guard and Air Reserve component officers receive reserve retirement credit points based on SOS/DL program completion and its respective contact hours. Students should download a copy of their "Study Hours" from AUSIS and forward to their Unit Training Officer for award of retirement points. The Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) determines and records Reserve and Guard retirement points. HQ ARPC/DDPPKB is the sole authority for awarding these points (DSN 926-6012 or toll free 1-800-525-0102 ext. x71285). For all Guard, Reserve or IMA questions regarding Air Force PME, please contact ARPC via email at [email protected] with your request.

3.4 Survey. Surveys provide a medium for students to provide feedback on the program and individual courses. Upon completion of Course 22D, the survey will be available for students to submit candid and constructive comments used to improve the SOS/DL program.

3.5 Technology Requirements. Participants are required to own or have access to a computer with high-speed/broadband Internet capability, and the ability to: Organize and manage files and folders in the operating system of choice Receive and submit electronic course materials Use a word-processing program effectively Send and receive e-mail (including attachments) Download and execute files from the Internet

Additionally, the following software programs or plug-ins are recommended for viewing course content and the completion of assignments or assessments:

Java Runtime Environment® (Java Plug-in for viewing various content) Adobe Acrobat® Reader (for viewing and printing PDF files) QuickTime® (for viewing QuickTime® video) Flash Player® (for viewing animations or using interactive content) FLIP4MAC® (for MAC users to view Windows media files) Windows Media Player® (viewing video or listening to streaming audio clips) Microsoft Office Suite® (viewers for MS Word® and MS PowerPoint® files) Second Life Web Viewer (Course 22D only)

The web browser and associated plug-ins can be downloaded from the Internet without cost. MS Office Suite® programs may be available free for home use via the Microsoft® Campus Agreement (check with your organization’s IT department for availability).


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I request an extension? Extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis, and only with a written explanation submitted as a trouble ticket to the AU Education Support at www.aueducationsupport.com. Requests will be reviewed by the SOS/DL student services; be sure to include the following information in your support ticket: your full name, last 4 of your SSN, and a brief explanation.

2. I have not received my certificate of completion for SOS/DL. Who should I contact? The AU Registrar/Student Records personnel print and mail diplomas each month. Students can request a replacement diploma by submitting a support ticket to www.aueducationsupport.com. In the support ticket, include your full name, course, course completion date, and current mailing address. For SOS resident, the ACSC OLMP, or other course diplomas, contact the school attended for specific directions.

3. What does AU CESG and ICL mean, and why do I need to know about these documents? The Air University Continuum of Officer and Enlisted Professional Military Education Strategic Guidance (AU CESG) guides the curriculum development of all PME for the Air Force. The numbering convention following the SOS lesson Learning Objectives helps not just students but leadership in knowing what is being presented to the students by mapping the Learning Objectives to the Institutional Competency List (ICL) via the CESG core areas; this is an AU requirement of all schools. This is a descriptive way to display the percentage of the curriculum that addresses each CESG core area. The SOC-specific ICL mapping list is included in your course information. The AF defines five core areas: Profession of Arms, Warfare Studies, Leadership Studies, International Security Studies, and Communication Studies in the continuum of education (COE). The ICL can be found at various places such as https://doctrine.af.mil (look at Volume Two, Leadership or the Appendix listing as you can find the ICL at both locations) as well as addressed in force development, such as AFPD 36-26 (2011) which can be found in this "The Self-Paced Student" area within your course.

4. I am deployed and I don't have a Test Control Facility (TCF) readily available to test. Is there a way to test if I'm unable to locate a TCF in my vicinity? Students will be able to nominate a proctor once the faculty and staff at Squadron Officer College determine that there isn’t a testing facility readily available. Submit a support ticket to the AU Education support site (www.aueducationsupport.com) requesting information for proctor processes. You will receive a proctor nomination form and instructions on where to send it when completed. Within a week you will receive a confirmation email and your proctor notified.

5. I can access my course in Blackboard. Why can't I access my course material?


SOC requires you to review all the materials on the “Syllabus/Policies” page to ensure you understand what is required of you in this course. This includes reading the SOS DL handbook. You must also read the SOS Course Syllabus, for each course SOS Crs22A, B, and C the Syllabus is typically the same, although you should note the date and keep a copy. Once you have reviewed the SOS DL Student Handbook and the course syllabus check the "Mark Reviewed" button. This indicates you have read the required documents, and you will then have access to materials. Again, to reiterate, by marking the "reviewed" button, you are indicating that you have read, understood, and will comply with the policies and procedures listed in the SOS Student Handbook, and the syllabus.

6. I have tested but my scores have not posted in AUSIS and the next course is not available in Blackboard. Is there something wrong? No, once you take a test it may take up to 24 hours before your scores post in AUSIS. This is due to the registration system - and as such, when you pass your test you WILL NOT see your next course for at least 12 - 24 hours. If you do not see your next course after 24 hours submit a ticket.

7. Why can’t I access Blackboard using my default username and password? You may not have been effectively enrolled; therefore, your account has not been established. In order for Blackboard to generate you an account, you will need to request student access in AUSIS. It takes at a minimum 72 hours to generate an account after enrollment. The instructions are listed on the initial program enrollment email. If you have an established Blackboard account and you still cannot login, please submit a support ticket requesting Blackboard account reset.

8. I am currently enrolled in SOS distance learning and I have been selected to attend SOS in- residence. Do I have to complete the distance learning program prior to reporting for the in- residence program? Does attending SOS in-residence cancel my enrollment in SOS distance learning? Squadron Officer College does not require you to complete the SOS/DL program in order to attend the resident program. Distance learning information and exam scores are not accessed by the resident school. Attending the resident program will not automatically cancel your enrollment in the distance learning program. (However, once you complete the SOS/DL program, you will be dis-enrolled from the program.) If you are selected to attend SOS residence and you want to dis- enroll from SOS/DL, please submit a support ticket (www.aueducationsupport.com) requesting disenrollment.

squadron officer school - air university · squadron officer school sos course 22 distance learning...

Documents