From stripes to brass

  • Published
  • By 86th Force Support Squadron
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The U.S. Air Force Academy has a program designed for motivated enlisted Airmen eager to earn a world-class education and commission:  Leaders Encouraging Airman Development!  The Academy is looking for hardworking peer-leaders with excellent academic backgrounds and physical fitness. 

Graduates will be commissioned officers in the Air Force and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in one of 27 academic majors. The will also have opportunities to train in flight and parachuting programs, travel around the world, learn other languages and participate in clubs and NCAA Division I sports.

Potential applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements:

· Be a U.S. Citizen
· Be under age 23 by July 1, 2015 (or under age 22 for a preparatory school appointment)
· Have no dependents
· Be of good moral character

Airmen who are accepted generally:

· Have mostly As and Bs in high school or college classes
· Have SAT math and verbal scores in the high 500s or higher (ACT subjects:  28 or higher)
· Display leadership in their workplace, through volunteer and recreational activities
· Maintain excellent physical fitness

The Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School both have 85 openings per year specifically for Airmen and are accepting applications now!  Airmen must have an AF Form 1786 on file with the Academy by Dec. 31, 2014 and finish their applications by Jan. 31, 2015. 

The LEAD program is just one of many enlisted commissioning programs that are available to active duty Airmen.  Information on other programs can be found at the following SharePoint link:  https://ice.usafe.af.mil/sites/435MSG/435SVS/FSD/fsde/officer/SitePages/Home.aspx   
Below are snapshots of these opportunities.

Is your goal to become a nurse?  If so, then the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program might be the commissioning program for you.  NECP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.  Upon successful completion of both the degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination, members will be commissioned as a second lieutenant. 

Nursing not for you, but would like to work in the medical field?  The Biomedical Sciences Corps Commissioning Program might be your cup of tea.  The BSC program offers a commission as a physical therapist, physician assistant or clinical psychologist.  Enlisted applicants must be on active duty in grades E-3 through E-8 with a minimum of two years active duty service and less than 14 years active military service as of Aug. 31, 2016. 

Are you curious about other healthcare commissioning opportunities?  You may want to consider the Medical Services Corps commissioning opportunities.  The MSC program encompasses command, administration, logistical and educational functions supporting the provision of healthcare.  To be eligible, service member must have a qualifying or closely related bachelor's or master's degree (ex: Healthcare Administration, Management, Hospital Administration, Accounting, Business Administration, etc.), GPA of 3.0 or higher, and less than eight years' time-in-service. 

Always wanted to go to medical school to become a doctor?  The Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program may be for you.  This program offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to complete the preparatory coursework for admission to medical school while maintaining an active duty status.  This program is open to candidates who demonstrate integrity and are dedicated to becoming future physicians, leaders and scholars of the nation's medical force. 

Always wanted to experience life as a full-time student?  The various ROTC commissioning programs: Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program, Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC or the Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program might be the direction to take.  These programs offer active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission as an Air Force ROTC cadet, completing all bachelor degree and commissioning requirements in two to four years.  The ASCP & SOAR offer $18,000 scholarships per year. 

Do you already possess a bachelor's degree or are within one year of completion?  Air Force Officer Training School may work for you.  This commissioning program is for those individuals that may want to become a rated officer such as pilot, navigator or air battle manager; or a non-rated technical or non-technical officer.  Rated individuals must enter training prior to age 30 and non-rated Airmen must be commissioned prior to age 35.  Interested applicants must take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test. 

To find out more about the commissioning process, attend a Commissioning Town Hall briefing hosted by the Ramstein Education Center and the Ramstein Company Grade Officer's Council. Details can be found on the following SharePoint site: https://ice.usafe.af.mil/sites/435MSG/435SVS/FSD/fsde/officer/SitePages/Home.aspx. 

The next town hall event will be Dec. 10, 2014 at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Conference Center. Please register at https://cs3.eis.af.mil/sites/OO-DP-FE-13/default.aspx.