Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (September 1, 2010)--On Sep. 1, 2010, 45 Army Civilian professionals graduated from the Civilian Education System (CES) Basic Course in a ceremony at Eskan Village, OPM-SANG, Brig. Gen. Frank D. Turner, U.S. Army, Program Manager, Saudi Arabia National Guard, presided at this graduation during an enthusiastic and moving ceremony in front of friends and OPM-SANG staff.

The curriculum for the course required students to demonstrate leadership, critical thinking and innovation as they tackled a number of projects that placed them in individual and team roles where they learned from each other. Particular course elements included Army leadership concepts, effective communication skill development, self-awareness and intra-personal relationships, high performing team development and mentoring.

The Civilian Education Basic Course is designed to provide students an understanding of how to effectively lead and care for teams. The course was facilitated by a team of five leadership facilitators from Army Management Staff College's (AMSC) Fort Belvoir, Virginia and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas campuses. David Quisenberry, Ralph Taylor, Jeff Irvine, Mike Brooks and John Harrison facilitated the two seminars, and enjoyed the experience in working with professionals who energetically engaged the curriculum and the faculty.

Ms. Dolleth Apilado, Finance Management Division, OPM-SANG, a graduate commented "I have gained professionally by working with my colleagues. The course was uplifting, edgy, fun and a challenge all at the same time. It was really worth the effort!"

Brig. Gen. Turner, in addressing the graduates, commented that he was most gratified that the members of the OPM-SANG family took the initiative to place themselves in an environment where they would be asked to 'think outside of the boxes' that we all have as the result of our life experiences. He also observed that all of the graduates were successful because they worked in diversified groups and accepted the challenge of creating their own learning environment and outcomes. Turner shared his view that this is what learning is all about - professionals taking responsibility for themselves and realizing much more than may come from lectures and power-point presentations.

The Saudi Arabia course offering is part of a larger effort by AMSC to provide quality education and professional development opportunities to Army Civilians that are unable to attend the residence courses at Forts Belvoir or Leavenworth. To meet these needs AMSC deploys Mobile Education Teams to reach these populations. "The Mobile Education Teams allow us to meet the needs of the Army Civilian Corps when they are in the field," said Col. Stevenson Reed, Commandant of AMSC, "These efforts help enhance our Civilian Education System at Fort Belvoir and Fort Leavenworth, reach a greater majority of Army Civilians, and most importantly fulfill the mission and needs of the Army." For more information on the Civilian Education System and AMSC visit http://www.amsc.belvoir.army.mil.