Programs promote Airmen with experience, potential

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The United States Air Force is a large and efficient machine. Two components that keep this machine running are the officers and enlisted. Together, they keep the Air Force mission going.

Some enlisted Airmen seek to cross over to the officer corps, and the Air Force provides programs to do so. Officer Training School, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen, and the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program are just some of the options for Airmen seeking to enter the officer ranks.

"There is a monthly briefing for those interested in commissioning. We overview what's needed so Airman can make an informed decision," said Frank Dinatale, a guidance counselor for the Education and Training Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

After the briefing, interested Airmen can set up an appointment with Dinatale to begin the processes of applying to one of the commissioning programs. He will work one-on-one with applicants offers to look over their packages before they are submitted to the Air Force Personnel Center for processing.

"We work with applicants to ensure they have the best chance by making sure they know deadlines and have all the signatures they need. The more time people have to prepare the better," said Robert King, force development flight chief with the Education and Training Center.

Each program has different criteria for selection and different rates of acceptance. For instance, OTS has recently selected fewer applicants while the Air Force Academy and ROTC programs have accepted, and graduated, more applicants in the same time frame, said King.

"The most salient characteristics for commissioning with the OTS and ROTC programs is passing the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. A person who is interested in commissioning in these programs must pass or they won't be eligible for the programs," said Dinatale.

One often overlooked program is the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program, which gives single Airman under the age of 23 the opportunity to attend the Air Force Academy, said King. Selection is based off demonstrated leadership skills, SAT scores and high school grade-point average.

"These programs take someone with potential and allow them to fulfill it. The programs are competitive, and it varies from board to board what they are looking for in officers," said King. "The minimum requirements for the AFOQT are 15 verbal and 10 quantitative, but people are scoring above the 90s as competition increases.

Through this competition, the Air Force is able to select those who best represent the aptitude, experience and adaptability they are looking for in an officer, said 1st Lt. Brittany Starkey, chief of protocol with the 436th Airlift Wing.

"ROTC is great for enlisted Airmen and I would recommend it to people who don't have their bachelor's degree yet, but want to commission. Probably the most difficult part of ROTC is balancing your academic life with your ROTC life. Looking back, it's a great program, and well worth the effort," said Starkey.