SQUADRON OFFICER SCHOOL Distance Learning Program (SOS DL) MSOS003 January 2013

SOS DL Program MSOS003 opens to new enrollments in early 2013. At that time, SOS DL Course 20 will be closed to new enrollments.

Please reference the http://www.AUEducationSupport.com FAQs page for general questions not addressed on this website. SOC’s distance learning staff and faculty are available to assist you if you have a specific concern and you click on “Request Support” and then “Submit a Ticket” (Organization: Squadron Officer College) through http://www.AUEducationSupport.com.

As with the SOS resident course, the DL program is based on educational requirements levied by the joint staff, the HQ USAF staff, the Air Force Learning Council, Air University, and the Spaatz Center for Officer Development.

Program Description

The distance learning program is composed of four individual courses. Although you must take the courses in order, you need to register only once for the entire program.

00022A Communication and International Security Studies 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.

00022B 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/mentoring, and leadership/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.

00022C Warfare and Profession of Arms The Warfare and Profession of Arms course deals with how company grade officers conduct themselves and lead others as warriors and Airmen in the conduct of air operations. 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, functions, and mission. Because the Air Force is just one part of the joint fight, students learn how sister services operate by themselves and with the Air Force, as well as how joint planning concepts synergistically employ all services in accomplishing mission objectives.

00022D 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 instructors at Air University for review and scoring. Online forums with discussion questions are available for student response and comment. For this course, students must select their four-week, instructor-led, DL section.

Eligibility

US armed forces officers (active duty, Reserve, and National Guard) and Civil Air Patrol members selected for the rank of captain (0-3) or above are eligible for enrollment into the SOS DL Program. Military rank takes precedence (CAP is not military), meaning that individuals on active duty or in the Guard or Reserves who hold a military pay grade of O-2 (without a line number for O-3) or below, are not eligible for enrollment regardless of their federal civilian pay grade or CAP rank. All non-commissioned officers are not eligible to enroll. Federal civilian employees in the grades of GS-9, DCIPS PB2, and NAF 3/4 and above who possess regionally-accredited baccalaureate degrees and who have completed their probationary periods (that is, have finished one year as federal employees) may enroll, according to AFI 36-2301, Table 6. International officers may refer to AFI 36-2301, Paragraph 11.3, for enrollment criteria and procedures.

MSOS003 Program Description & Enrollment Instructions: January 2013 Page 1 There are no time-in-grade restrictions for any of the eligible categories. For example, the SOS resident program’s 7-year TAFCS restriction (ETCA 36-2223, formerly AFCAT) for active duty officers does not apply to this distance learning program.

Registration, Military Students

Air Force officers (active duty, Reserve, or National Guard) enroll through the AUSIS (Air University Student Information System) website at https://ausis.maxwell.af.mil/SIS/app following the instructions presented below.

Create an Air University Portal Account:

1. Go to the following website: https://auportal.maxwell.af.mil 2. Click on “Click here to login or create a new account” 3. Choose one of these options on the right side under “New User Account:” “Use your Common Access Card” (which ties your login to your CAC) or “None of the above” (which creates username/password access to the portal from any computer) 4. Click “Create New Account”

If you select the “Use your Common Access Card (CAC)” option:

1. Under “New User Account” check “Use your Common Access Card (CAC)” > click “Create New Account” 2. Select “Certificate” 3. Review the information then click “Next” at bottom

If you choose the “None of the above” option:

1. Fill in the info and click “next” 2. Verify information and click “next” (it may ask for more info than it auto-populates) 3. Enter information including Username/Password at bottom of screen and click “create account”

Once your AU Portal account is established, you must create an AUSIS account to enroll in the SOS DL program. To access AUSIS, log into the AU Portal. In the left side navigation menus, select Distance Learning > SOS DL > AUSIS. This opens a new browser window with the AUSIS logon page.

1. Click “create account” >“student account” 2. Enter your SSN and last name into the boxes and click “submit” 3. Enter the requested information and click “save” 4. Select the program you are enrolling in from dropdown menu (SOS DL) and then check the box to certify your eligibility NOTE: Do not select SLC (Air War College) or IDE-JPME (Air Command and Staff College)

Program materials are posted to the SOC Blackboard site at https://soc.blackboard.com. Please allow at least three duty days for your user name to be created in Blackboard and for you to be enrolled in the first course. Once you have received an email that you are enrolled, you can access the program course materials by using your default login credentials.

Username: “firstname.middleinitial.lastname.au” Password: LAST NAME (UPPER CASE) + last 4 SSN (example: RAMBO4533)

Once logged in, change your password.

If you do not receive enrollment verification into the SOS DL program after three duty days, submit a helpdesk ticket through http://www.AUEducationSupport.com.

Registration, Other Student Categories (including Civil Air Patrol)

Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) reservists should visit the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) Military Training Website to complete a Formal School Request to be processed through the ARPC. The IMA enrollment POC can be reached at [email protected]. IMAs must use their military email addresses for enrollment and all course-related business.

International officers may refer to AFI 36-2301, Paragraph 11.3 for enrollment criteria and procedures.

Civilians and Civil Air Patrol members who do not also hold military rank must be employed in the grade of at least GS-9, DCIPS PB 2, or NAF 3/4 or above and must hold a regionally-accredited baccalaureate degree as documented in AFI 36-2301, Table 6. Additionally, they must have completed one year of federal civil service. They may enroll by following the instructions to complete and submit an AU Form 23 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/afiadl/ (“forms” link on left menu).

MSOS003 Program Description & Enrollment Instructions: January 2013 Page 2 CAP members must be verified by HQ/CAP. CAP members who hold military rank must meet the military rank requirements.

Civilians and Civil Air Patrol members (who do not also hold a military rank) should enroll through the AUSIS (Air University Student Information System) website at https://ausis.maxwell.af.mil/SIS/app following the instructions below.

Create an Air University Portal Account: 1. Go to the following website: https://auportal.maxwell.af.mil 2. Click on on “Click here to login or create a new account” 3. Choose one of these options on the right side under “New User Account:” “Use your Common Access Card” (which ties

your login to your CAC) or “None of the Above” (which creates username/password access to the portal from any computer) 4. Click “Create New Account.”

If you select the “Use your Common Access Card (CAC)” option: 1. Under “New User Account,” check “Use your Common Access Card (CAC)” > click “Create New Account” 2. Select certificate 3. Review the information then click “Next” at the bottom

If you choose the “none of the above” option: 1. Fill in the info and click “Next” 2. Verify information and click “Next” (it may ask for more info than it auto-populates) 3. Enter information including Username/Password at bottom of screen and click “Create Account”

Once your AU Portal account is established, you must create an AUSIS account to enroll in the SOS DL program. To access AUSIS, log into the AU Portal. In the left side navigation menu, select Distance Learning > SOS DL > AUSIS. This opens a new browser window with the AUSIS logon page. 1. Click “Create Account” > “Student Account.” 2. Enter your SSN and last name into the boxes and click “Submit.” 3. Enter the requested information and click “Save.” 4. Select the program you are enrolling in from dropdown menu (SOS DL) and then check the box to certify your eligibility. NOTE: do not select SLC (Air War College) or IDE-JPME (Air Command and Staff College).

Your enrollment will be in a “paused” status until the AU Registrar receives the following documents from you by email attachment to [email protected] or by fax to DSN 493-8127 or commercial (334) 953-8127:

1. Your baccalaureate degree transcript 2. Evidence of your civilian employee grade or CAP rank 3. If a civilian employee, evidence that you have completed at least one year of civil service employment

You may submit this information as attachments along with your AU Form 23. If you submit the Form 23 without this information, AU will hold your enrollment application for 30 days in order to provide you with time to submit all materials. After 30 days, your application will be deleted.

To obtain this information, please follow the instructions listed below.

1. Log in to the Air Force Portal 2. Under the top links on the left of the screen select “AFPC Secure Applications” 3. Select “Civilian Career Brief,” then “Submit” 4. Select “Current Position Data” and print this page or save electronically 5. Select “Appointment Information” and print this page or save electronically 6. Select “Education” and print this page or save electronically 7. Select “Exit” to close

Once the Registrar receives and processes these documents, you will receive an email that you are enrolled. Then, you can access the program course materials posted to the SOC Blackboard site at https://soc.blackboard.com by using your default login credentials: Username: “firstname.middleinitial.lastname.au” Password: LAST NAME (UPPER CASE) + last 4 SSN (example: RAMBO4533) Once logged in, change your password.

It may take up to three duty days for your account to be established. If you do not receive an email verifying your enrollment in the SOS DL program after three duty days, please submit a helpdesk ticket through http://www.AUEducationSupport.com.

MSOS003 Program Description & Enrollment Instructions: January 2013 Page 3 Faculty

The SOS DL Program is developed, maintained, and supervised by doctorally-qualified faculty members in association with AF officer curriculum developers and professional instructional designers. You will take the 00022A, 00022B, and 00022C courses via self-study, but instructors for Course 00022D are experienced flight commanders who also teach in the SOS resident program.

Course Access

Once enrolled, you will receive Blackboard logins and passwords via the e-mail addresses you used at registration. If login information does not work, you should click on “forgot password.” Once logged in, change your password. Student support is available by submitting a help ticket through http://www.AUEducationSupport.com > Request Support > Submit a Ticket.

Duration

You must complete the SOS DL Program within 12 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 00022D are successfully completed within the 12 months. Procrastination is the major reason some students do not complete the program in the allowed time. You are responsible for understanding the course requirements and policies and tracking your own progress and expiration date. It is not the responsibility of the education office, TCFs, or Squadron Officer College to track student time limits.

Extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis only. If circumstances during enrollment prevent you from taking the exams for the first three courses and completing the work for the fourth course with a scheduled section of students and an instructor before the expiration date, you may request one ninety-day extension. You must include brief rationale for your extension and must have passed at least the first two (2) exams. If you are not finished before your three- month extension expires, you must reenroll and start over.

After you pass the exam for Course 00022C, you must select a four-week period for Course 00022D from those available (i.e. not filled with other students) on the SIS website. Therefore, you should plan to finish Course 00022C with plenty of time in the twelve month period in order to complete Course 00022D, which is a scheduled, instructor-led, four-week course.

Examinations

Upon enrollment, you must complete self-study course work and pass tests covering the first three courses in sequence (00020A, 00020B, and 00020C). You are allowed two attempts to pass each course exam with a minimum test score of 70 percent. Failing a retake test results in disenrollment. Upon re-enrollment, no credit is granted for tests passed during previous enrollment periods. All tests must be taken while you are enrolled in the program. No credit is given for tests passed after enrollment expiration. Therefore, TCFs will verify that you are enrolled before administering your tests. Tests are administered in the Blackboard Learning Management System and therefore you must use your Bb logins and passwords to access your exams.

You will receive your exam scores immediately after taking your tests; however, areas of study are not considered officially complete until AU A4/6O receives your electronic test results and posts passing scores to your records. You cannot take subsequent tests until previous tests are posted.

The tests are multiple-choice and closed-book. Study materials are not permitted in the testing rooms. Tests are not cumulative and all test questions are derived from the learning objectives in the study materials.

Disenrollment/Reenrollment

You will be disenrolled if you do not complete the program within the twelve-month time limit, fail a retest, or request disenrollment by submitting a helpdesk ticket to the AU Registrar’s Office at http://www.AUEducationSupport.com. Although disenrollment does not result in a SOC-initiated restricted period before reenrollment, you should check for local restrictions. To reenroll, you must submit a request to http://www.AUEducationSupport.com and include your full name and last four numbers of their SSN. If you reenroll, you must start from the beginning with no credit granted for prior work accomplished.

MSOS003 Program Description & Enrollment Instructions: January 2013 Page 4