Air Force commissioning opportunities are abundant

  • Published
  • By 1st. Lt. Randi Norton
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing public Affairs
Every year, thousands of newly commissioned second lieutenants enter into the Air Force. Those second lieutenants come from a variety of commissioning sources; theAir Force Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Training School. But not all of those lieutenants are fresh from the civilian world. Many are prior enlisted. 

"The process of putting in a commissioning package can look overwhelming," said Tim Scheving, education counselor at the education center, here. "We're here to help them put a first rate package together." 

Mr. Scheving and his team help Airmen devise a plan and timeline for completing commissioning package requirements before the Oct. 15 deadline. 

"We need an organized plan month to month to ensure all the requirements are met. It's a cooperative relationship with the applicant," he said. 

The plan and timeline work. The education center has a great success rate for commissioning package acceptance. In fiscal year 2007 alone, nine of the 11 applicants have been selected for a commissioning program. 

If earning a commission is something that interests you, the following programs are offered by the education and training center. 

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship and Commissioning Programs:
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship and commissioning program allows qualified Airmen to earn a degree and a commission while studying at a college or university offering a four-year AFROTC program. Airmen selected for this program are discharged from active duty and enlisted in the USAF Reserve. Upon completion of all degree requirements, these Airmen are commissioned as second lieutenants. Two, three and four-year scholarships are available in a variety of disciplines. Scholarship entitlements include tuition and lab fees, textbooks, AFROTC uniforms and a monthly subsistence allowance. Room and board is not covered by the scholarship. 

Scholarships through the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program are available to qualified candidates in technical and non-technical programs. Pre-health, Biomedical Sciences Corps and nursing scholarships are also offered. 

Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program: 
POC-ERP offers active duty Airmen, who can complete all degree and commissioning requirements within two years, an opportunity for an early release from the active duty Air Force to enter the AFROTC. This program is open to students in any major. 

- Critical Air Force requirements in engineering, computer science, foreign languages, meteorology, physical therapy and nursing are filled through the Airman Education and Commissioning Program. Enlisted Airmen who have acquired at least 30 semester hours of college credit, 16 of which must have been earned through traditional college courses, may compete for selection to attend a civilian college on a full-time basis and obtain a bachelor's degree. The remaining 14 credits must be specific courses within the degree programs listed above. Degree completion will be followed by commissioning through ROTC. Students are promoted to the grade of E-5 during training and receive full pay plus tuition and book allowances.
Air Force Academy: 

U.S. Air Force Academy:
The Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., offers a four-year collegiate program to qualified and selected high school graduates. Entry into the Academy is very competitive. Consideration for the Academy is based on the individual's high school academic record, extracurricular activity, military performance and the results of academy examinations. There are approximately 1,400 openings at the Academy each year, 85 are reserved for active duty Airmen. Upon completion of the four-year program, cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission. 

Officer Training School:
Application for this program is accomplished at the education and training center. Counselors can provide updated information concerning the application process. The mission of OTS is to train and commission candidates as second lieutenants in response to Air Force needs. OTS is an intensive program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., designed to provide commissioned officers with the qualifications to meet changing Air Force manpower requirements. Airmen who possess a bachelor's degree or are within 270 days of graduation may be qualified to apply for direct entry into OTS. 

For more information regarding commissioning sources, contact Tim Scheving at the education and training center at 747-3316. 

"We do everything in our power to get them [the applicant] commissioned," he said.