TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Imagine finding yourself at work, it plays out no different from any other day consisting of your usual daily tasks. All of a sudden, you’re approached by your supervisor and notified that you will be attending Airman Leadership School in the near future.
This was the case for Senior Airman George Henry Lintala III, a supply journeyman from the 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
Before enlisting into the Air Force, Lintala lived in Sevilla, Spain, where he was born and raised by a Spanish mother and an American father who served in the U.S. Navy. In 2009, he moved to Frederick, Maryland.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the military,” he said. “It’s something that I grew up in with a lot of my family members joining before me, so I always take great pride in knowing that I serve the Air Force. My mother always spoke so highly of my dad for being in the U.S. Armed Forces so I knew that it was something I wanted as well.”
Lintala has been in the Air Force for five years now and plans on continuing this service for as long as he is able. Before Tyndall, he was stationed at Dyess AFB, Texas, and Andrews AFB, Maryland.
He recently found out that he earned a line number for staff sergeant and would attend Airman Leadership School. He completed the course Aug. 25.
“The course really prepared me for challenges to come,” said Lintala. “I also learned how to deal with different scenarios, and be ready to help any future subordinates. I realize now how important it is to learn and retain the information that was laid before me so that I may apply it inside and outside of work.”
Lintala considers the concept of Idealized Influence to be one of the most important subjects of the course. By definition, Idealized Influence is one of several forms of transformational leadership which calls for a leader to demonstrate and carry themselves in a way to be admired, trusted and respected by their followers. This type of leadership allows one’s followers to identify and desire to emulate the actions of the leader.
Another important lesson from ALS is the Profession of Arms concept, a principle that teaches each Airman that all jobs are important to the Air Force mission, no matter how simple or complex the task.
“My job is pretty important,” he said. “If not for my job, maintainers would not receive the necessary items used to fix and maintain Tyndall’s aircraft. So at the end of the day, it’s imperative to always keep in mind that I’m handling very important pieces of equipment. In some cases I’ll come across a part that isn’t serviceable by Air Force standards, identify it and contact those who can fix it.”
With the many lessons taught in ALS, this can overwhelm even the most resilient of students. Lintala was able to seek help from both his family and fellow classmates to pull through.
“Stress is a big part of ALS, but you learn how to manage it better as the weeks roll by,” Lintala said. “Normally I don’t like to lean on others so I like to take care of everything by myself, but in ALS you can’t do that. Every person in our class had their strengths and weaknesses, but by coming together we were able to pass every assignment on time and not leave anyone behind.”
Lintala’s work center colleagues have spoken quite highly of him since returning to his section again and even before attending ALS.
“My expectations for Lintala have been and will remain high as he continues his stellar work performance,” said Staff Sgt. Dan Tabora, 325th AMXS F-22 Raptor supply craftsman.
Relieved to have finally completed the course, Lintala plans to ultimately enact these newfound skills along with his newly obtained rank. His accomplishments have re-awakened his motives for becoming an Air Force member.
“I feel like I have crossed a milestone in my career,” he added. “It made me remember why I decided to join the Air Force. I came out with a renewed spirit, ready to take on more challenges and help others around me.”