U.S.

Air Force
Airman Leadership School

In-Basket Exercise

The Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education

 GUIDE FOR THE IN-BASKET EXERCISE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 3
Overview for the In-Basket Exercise ............................................................................... 3
The Course Outcomes ....................................................................................................... 3

THE CAPSTONE EXERCISE .................................................................................................... 4

Instructions for Completing the Exercise ....................................................................... 4
The Introductory Material ................................................................................................ 5
Organizational Chart ........................................................................................................ 6
The In-Basket Documents ................................................................................................ 7

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 OVERVIEW FOR THE IN-BASKET EXERCISE

INTRODUCTION

The In-Basket Exercise

The In-Basket Exercise is the Capstone in the Airman Leadership School program. You’ll
receive background information about an individual, their unit’s organizational chart, and
issues facing the unit. In addition, you’ll be presented with a series of e-mails and messages
that have accumulated in your ‘in-basket’.
After reviewing the introductory materials and the in-basket documents, you must address them
by explaining how you would handle the situations presented. The intent of the In-Basket
Exercise is to evaluate your understanding of the concepts and principles based on the course
outcomes described in the section below.

The Course Outcomes

The In-Basket Exercise measures course outcomes that are critical for effective performance in
leadership and supervisory roles. The outcomes are:
Mission - Communicate your contribution to the wing and Air Force missions.
Leadership - Collaborate and connect with members of the AF team.
Problem Solving - Apply cognitive strategies to solve Air Force problems.
Air Force Culture - Exhibit the Air Force Core Values and instill them in others.

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 THE CAPSTONE EXERCISE

Instructions for Completing the Exercise

In the following pages, you’ll find SSgt Rodney Taylor’s background information and an
organizational chart for his unit. In addition, you’ll find the in-basket documents 1 through 10
(marked in the lower right-hand corner of each document). Please review the introductory material and
the in-basket documents before attempting to address the issues. You may revisit the in-basket
documents at any time during the evaluation.
Once you have reviewed all the documents, address each issue as if you were SSgt Taylor.

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The Introductory Material
SSgt Rodney Taylor
SSgt Taylor sewed on SSgt three months ago, and he just arrived at his new duty assignment recently.
He’s the new team leader of Alpha Section, but there are three other sections: Bravo, Charlie, and
Delta in his flight. Taylor has three Airmen on his team.
Unfortunately, SSgt Taylor hasn’t had the opportunity to learn about his role or responsibilities in the
flight. The individual that Taylor replaced left before he arrived. Therefore, Taylor has to learn about his
job and get to know his people as he goes. However, there’s a bright side…he has three fellow team
leaders that are ready to help him out.
SSgt Taylor was notified Friday that the flight is participating in a yearly joint exercise. It includes
several units from the base along with teams from sister services. The purpose of the exercise is to
assess the interoperability between the different units and services. But, he’s learning that there are
other things going on within his team that need his attention, too.

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Unit Organizational Chart

6
THE IN-BASKET DOCUMENTS

7
 Official E-Mail
From: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF
To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Subject: FW: Time Sensitive Question
Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 07:30 AM
SSgt Taylor,
Please read the below email and address this issue with A1C Jones.
FYI – A1C Jones had issues with his last supervisor (the individual you replaced). Jones didn’t feel as
though he cared and only made decisions solely on his personal beliefs, not the betterment of the people
or the organization.
Let me know if you have any questions.
V/r,

//SIGNED//
COREY BROWN, TSGT, USAF
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: JONES, MIKE A1C USAF
To: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF
Subject: Time Sensitive Question
Date: Friday, November 23, 2018 1:12 PM

TSgt Brown,
I know we’re busy preparing for the joint exercise, but I do have a time sensitive question.
I know you hate when the Airmen talk about gaming and programming. You’re probably shaking your head
right now! But I want to take a course that starts in a few weeks after we get back from the exercise. It’s one
that’s very important to me. I’ve wanted to take the course for a few years now but every time I asked my old
supervisor, he said no.
The program director just called and told me they have one slot available. I know if I don’t take the slot, it’ll
be gone by the end of the day.
I believe this course will help me tremendously in my personal life and will also spill over into my
professional life. I know the experience I’ll gain can help me create some programs to help our section. I’m
excited that a slot has opened up!
Do you see any issues with me signing up for the course? Thank you,

A1C Jones
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Document 01
 Official E-Mail
From: WOOD, JENNIFER SSgt USAF
To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Subject: Flight Get Together
Date: Friday, November 23, 2018 3:08 PM
SSgt Taylor,

I just received the e-mail about the flight get together from TSgt Brown. He wants us to work together on this,
but I know we haven’t exactly seen “eye to eye” on a few things lately, specifically who on our teams should go
on the TDY. I just don’t believe some of your people are ready! Anyway, I’m willing to put our differences
aside to make this happen, but I need to know your thoughts on the matter….awaiting your response.

V/r,
SSgt Wood

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF
To: Team Leads
Subject: Flight Get Together
Date: Friday, November 23, 2018 1:12 PM

Team,
As some of you already know, the joint exercise is going to be a grueling event. It’ll test not only how well we
do our jobs, but also our endurance and level of resiliency. With that being said, we have some people on our
teams that have never participated in this exercise and we want to make sure we’re all successful.

So, before we pack up and go TDY, I’d like all the teams to gather for a flight get together. I’ll leave the
activity up to you guys, the team leads, to determine what we do. Please let me know if you need any
assistance.

V/r,
TSgt Brown

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Document 02
 Official E-mail
From: WILSON, ALLY MSgt USAF
To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Cc: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF
Subject: FOUO\\ CC Exec Position
Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 7:28 AM

SSgt Taylor,
I wanted to let you know that the commander is looking for a sharp A1C or SrA to work on his
executive staff. I think A1C Williams would be a good fit for this. I know he’s slated to go on the
upcoming TDY, and he’s been looking forward to it all year. So, I can imagine that he’s not going
to be too keen on missing the TDY.
Could you do me a favor and talk with him about the position?
V/r,
//SIGNED//
ALLY WILSON, MSgt, USAF

Document 03

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 Official E-mail
Official E-

From: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF

To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Subject: Personnel Swaps
Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 10:14 AM

SSgt Taylor,
I know it’s not the perfect time with the upcoming joint exercise; however, I just spoke with MSgt
Wilson and we need to swap a few personnel around.
We need to swap A1C Williams from your section with A1C Carter from Charlie section. On the surface,
this should be an easy swap. However, the other Airmen in Charlie didn’t take well to A1C Carter when she
first arrived. They would constantly complain about her not being able to do the job both mentally and
physically, and I’ve heard that they discussed it with other Airmen in the flight. But, her supervisor, SSgt
Flores, says she’s a good worker.
Can you smooth over the swaps with your team? Specifically, we need them to get ready for the TDY
and I don’t want to hear any more complaining about team members.
I hope your exercise preparations are going well. Let me know if you need anything or if you have any
concerns.

V/r,
TSgt Brown

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Document 04
 Official E-mail
From: FLORES, JOSE SSgt USAF
To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Subject: Grand Opening
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:45 PM

Rodney,
I know you’re prepping for the upcoming joint exercise but our favorite sporting store is opening a
new location and the first 50 people in will receive 30% off their ENTIRE purchase. I know you need a few
items and WANT even more. They open at noon tomorrow so we need to be in line by 7 or 8 AM to make
sure we’re two of the first 50 people in the door!
Don’t tell me you can’t because you have to get some type of mandatory training done before the joint
exercise…nobody checks training records before, during, or even after the exercise!
We need to catch up and since I went on the joint exercise last year, I can brief you on what to expect while
we wait in line. What do you think…are you in?
Let’s go!!!

Jose

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Document 05
 Official E-mail
From: BROWN, COREY TSgt USAF
To: TAYLOR, RODNEY SSgt USAF
Subject: SrA Patterson and Social Media
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 2:19 PM

SSgt Taylor,
Last night, I was on social media and I just happened to see a post from SrA Patterson about the joint
exercise. Normally I wouldn’t be trolling SrA Patterson, but I found out he’s been posting FOUO (for
official use only) details on one of the websites. He even posts pictures of himself working on our
equipment! Some of the information he posts could negatively impact our mission if the wrong people saw
it. Can you get with him about this? Thanks!
V/r,
//SIGNED//
COREY BROWN, TSGT, USAF

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Document 06
 Telephone Message
TO: SSgt Taylor
Date: 28 Nov 18 Time: 1015 hrs
From: TSgt Ridgeway – Base Supply
TSgt Ridgeway from Base Supply called. He said
although the part you need for the joint exercise has
been received, it won’t be processed through the
Shipping section by Friday. He said the section is
overtasked as a result of the exercise and he doesn’t
have the resources to support the delivery that early.
Since the part isn’t considered mission critical
based on his organization’s current rules and
guidelines, the earliest he can get it to you would be
Wednesday of next week. His number is 416-1234 if
you have any questions.

Received By: SrA Ford

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Document 07
15
Document 08
16
Document 09
SSgt Taylor’s Voice Mail:
“SSgt Taylor, this is the First Sergeant. I just wanted to let you know that SrA Patterson was arrested by the
county police for domestic violence Friday night. SrA Patterson was intoxicated and assaulted his wife after he
found out his wife was communicating with a man via social media. Patterson’s wife bailed him out Sunday
afternoon and dropped charges. I’ll talk with you and your supervisor on Monday.”
Taylor checked his text messages right after the voice mail…

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Document 10
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