The Profession of Arms Center of Excellence’s evolving mission at Air University

  • Published
  • By Profession of Arms Center of Excellence staff

Since moving to Air University in 2019, the Air Force Profession of Arms Center of Excellence has been busy evolving its mission to meet the needs of today’s Airmen and Space professionals.

Stood up at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2015 to inspire, educate, and motivate every Airman to successfully live by the Air Force core values, the Air Force realigned and relocated PACE in 2019 to the Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development at Air University.

Under the Eaker Center, PACE is focusing on developing courses, tools and faculty to provide support to existing Air University programs, creating stand-alone courses and lessons and providing online development modules. PACE continues to produce its well-known “Heritage Today” video series, along with other resources Airmen and Space professionals can access individually, in small teams or larger developmental settings.

In 2016, then-Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein directed a squadron revitalization survey of nearly 20,000 total force Airmen and spouses. A common theme among respondents was the Air Force needed to pay more attention to how it develops leaders.

In response, PACE is also focusing its efforts on the human domain—the art and science of operationalizing Air Force core values through leadership, followership, diversity and inclusion, ethics and innovation. To advance the profession of arms and succeed in “great power competition,” PACE is aiming to unlock the full potential of every Airman and Space professional.

“With this continuing transformation, Air University and Profession of Arms Center of Excellence will be better positioned to support the Air Force’s priority of developing exceptional leaders to lead the world’s most powerful teams,” said Col. Terri Jones, Eaker Center commander.

The Eaker Center and PACE are committed to deliver Department of the Air Force-wide leadership education, undertake leadership-related research and analysis and conduct strategic outreach and consultation for Air University with external partners. 

For more information about PACE and the material offered, visit www.airman.af.mil.