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Chevrons to bars, Airmen explore commissioning opportunities
Posted 10/3/2012 Updated 10/3/2012
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by Senior Airman Whitney Tucker
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/3/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- "Neither a wise man, nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run him over." - Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States.
The famous mantra resonates with the thousands of Americans who enlist in the Armed Forces each year seeking to uncover a better way of life and take their place among history's decision makers.
Having successfully assimilated to a life of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, several high-speed Airmen attended a commissioning programs briefing at the base Commando Pride Airman Center Sept. 13, in the hopes of exchanging their chevrons for bars of gold.
There are three avenues enlisted members can pursue in order to become commissioned officers: Officer Training School, Air Force ROTC and the Air Force Academy. Though the programs vary in criteria and duration, Airmen are awarded the rank of second lieutenant upon successful completion of whichever program they elect.
Officer Training School is a 12-week program designed for Airmen who already possess a bachelor's degree. Of the four selection boards conducted annually, two rated and two non-rated, only about 300 applicants are accepted into the program.
"Those chosen to fill non-rated slots in OTS usually have very specific degrees," said Judy Ortiz-Aragon of the University of New Mexico's AFROTC Detachment 510. "Language majors, engineers and nurses are going to have the best chance of being chosen because those are the areas in which the force is presently lacking."
Despite this deficiency, Ortiz-Aragon encourages Airmen to apply for OTS regardless of the degree they hold.
"Board members love to recruit from within the force," she said. "Be your own advocate; get a great score on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, ace your interview and treat your application like an Enlisted Performance Report. They look at the whole-person concept, so it is vital to communicate why you will be an asset."
Awarding more than 1,700 commissions annually, AFROTC is the Air Force's oldest and largest commissioning source. With 144 detachments throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and an additional 900 schools with cross-town enrollment agreements, ROTC is a viable option for virtually all Airmen.
"The AFROTC program is designed to educate, and groom you to become a leader," Ortiz-Aragon said. "There are three scholarship types available through the AFROTC program: the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program, Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC and the Professional Officer Course - Early Release Program."
The programs are designed to accommodate individuals of different educational levels. For instance, Airmen with no college experience may be more interested in a program that offers four year scholarships such as ASCP or SOAR, while those with only two years of course work remaining may want to consider the benefits of POC-ERP.
Because many of the AFROTC scholarship programs require Airmen to separate from active duty while attending school full time, Ortiz-Aragon encourages applicants to have a financial plan in place before leaving the security of a steady paycheck.
"Though most of the programs pay for all schooling and provide a monthly stipend, active duty members can still feel as if they're taking a pay cut," she said. "If you can plan ahead and budget your money, the sacrifice will be well worth it."
Perhaps the most prestigious of all commissioning avenues, the Air Force Academy is the second ranked academy in the nation. Though admission is very competitive, 60 preparatory slots are reserved specifically for enlisted Airmen seeking to make the transition to officer. According to Ortiz-Aragon, in the history of the academy, these slots have never been completely filled.
"The Air Force Academy provides a full-ride, four year scholarship to Airmen between the ages of 17 and 23," she said. "Because the application process is lengthy, Airmen hesitate to apply and many slots go unfilled each year. The academy has high standards and is the only commissioning program that requires applicants to be unmarried, with no dependents, but those who elect to attend receive a first-rate education."
Because enlisted Airmen possess a wealth of knowledge about the active duty Air Force and have experienced firsthand what it means to be a service member in today's politically charged climate, they have a tendency to rise to the top, says Ortiz-Aragon.
"When prior enlisted enter into these programs they move into positions of leadership almost immediately," she said. "You're learning things like Air Force history, customs and courtesies and drill; things my enlisted Airmen know like the back of their hands."
"Throughout my career, I have assisted hundreds of Airmen in their journey from enlisted to officer and each one has been a rewarding experience," she continued. "It is truly a pleasure to see young men and women taking their future into their own hands and becoming more than they thought possible."
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