Director, AIr Force Nursing Services officiates NSM graduation Published March 30, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Education and Training Division chief, and Air Force Nursing Services director at Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Surgeon General, officiated the Nursing Service Management Graduation March 31 at Sheppard AFB, Texas. Col. Donnalee Sykes is the first officer of such high position to officiate a NSM graduation. Maj. James Cote, an NSM student from Yokota Air Base, Japan, appreciated the fact that Colonel Sykes was able to take part in his walk to success. "We normally would only get to see her via teleconference for a lecture," he said. "It's an honor to know that someone from so far up in our chain came down to have face-to-face contact with our class on this day." During the graduation, Colonel Sykes discussed things she learned when she attended NSM 21 years ago, including her journey to become a leader. "NSM was one of the most rewarding experiences," she said. "While I learned how to do things the right way, I also learned that you don't have to be an expert at something to be a leader. You simply have to know what you don't know and seek to understand it. "Continue to broaden your horizon and expand upon the knowledge you're given. I'm excited for you and I hope to see you in the future," she said. Maj. Michele Shelton, 383rd Training Squadron NSM course supervisor, said the students are taught the strategic, operational and tactical levels of leadership. While she functioned at the tactical and operational levels she said she hoped Colonel Sykes' visit would affect the students at the strategic level. "My desire is that the focus from Colonel Sykes' visit would be the strategic point of view as her position represents the strategic level of leadership that our future nurse corps leaders aspire to become, whether they're in the executive, education and training or clinical settings," she said.