OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Mock enlisted force distribution panels, hands-on project management exercises and realistic leadership scenarios gave 52 Airmen a hands-on alternative to traditional professional development during the sixth Frontline Leadership Course.
The 694th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group and United States Forces Korea J2 Staff hosted the three-day course, July 13-15, 2026, at the Osan Air Base Chapel Fellowship Hall. Including the most recent class, the grassroots initiative has now reached 159 Airmen and Soldiers from Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys.
The course replaces a lengthy slideshow with shorter academic sessions, allowing more time for learning in a leadership lab built around realistic scenarios, practical exercises and facilitated discussions. Instructors from organizations across Osan volunteered to share their experience and help participants practice leadership skills they could immediately apply within their units.
The course included instruction on various categories, allowing participants to complete or reinforce up to 39 Air Force Supervisor Job Qualification items such as emotional intelligence, management skills and tools, and force development and writing
During the project management module, participants planned and constructed towers using spaghetti and limited materials. The exercise challenged teams to divide responsibilities, manage resources, communicate effectively and adjust their plans when their initial approaches did not work. Furthermore, in the middle of the exercise, teams were instructed to swap towers with other teams, effectively simulating picking up a new project midway through its lifecycle.
Participants also worked through scenarios involving perceptions of favoritism, misconduct, burnout and competing mission requirements. The course also held a mock Enlisted Forced Distribution Panel to provide insight into how performance records are evaluated and how supervisors can better prepare Airmen for future opportunities.
Senior leaders have also supported the course by sharing their experiences and perspectives with participants. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Carl Vogel, 51st Fighter Wing command chief, served as the guest speaker during the previous iteration while U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Dave Womack, USFK chief of staff, addressed participants during the July 2026 course.
The course began in 2025 in response to concerns identified through the 6th Intelligence Squadron’s 2024 Defense Organizational Climate Survey. Feedback from the survey highlighted a desire for more tier-based professional development opportunities. The course was held quarterly throughout 2025 before transitioning to a twice-yearly schedule in 2026.
What began as a response to squadron feedback has grown into a joint, multi-base professional development opportunity connecting service members, instructors and senior leaders. The Frontline Leadership Course equips emerging leaders with practical tools to develop their people, manage resources and strengthen mission readiness throughout the Korean Peninsula.