Examining the Efficacy of Pre-Service Training for Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Air Force enlisted professional military education shifted traditionally in-person leadership interventions online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Air Force guidance stated that pre-service faculty training focused on in-person instruction was sufficient for teaching online and that instructors did not require training that included online teaching strategies. This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of pre-service training for military leadership instructors teaching online. Utilizing a conceptual framework of teacher self-efficacy, locus of control theory, and social-cognitive theory, this research examined the experiences of four instructors who graduated pre-service training focused on in-person instruction and taught online directly thereafter. Analyzing data from interviews, observations, and student surveys, results indicated the pre-service training, coupled with the participants' military supervisory background, adequately prepared participants to teach online. Future studies should examine a larger sample size of instructors to identify trends and patterns within the professional military education instructor community.