Airmen have several commissioning sources

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Captain Cassandra Antwine knew she wanted to become an officer even before she completed technical school. And 13 years later she fulfilled that aspiration. As a technical sergeant, Antwine was selected for the Officer Training School and was commissioned a year later.

"It's not something you do overnight," said Captain Antwine, aerial port operations officer for the 728th Air Mobility Squadron. "It took several years to complete my degree because I was also working full time. It's tough to excel at your current job, go to school and stay active in your squadron. But I just didn't lose site of my goal. I knew I wanted to be an officer, I just had to figure out how to get there."

Although Captain Antwine was commissioned through OTS, there are several ways for Airmen to be commissioned. OTS, a 12-week officer training program, is just one of six paths, said Marvin Cox, the education counselor for Incirlik Air Base. Airmen can also commission through four different ROTC programs--Airman Education and Commissioning Program, Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program, Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC and Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program. All four of these programs allow the Airman to go to school full time in order to earn their undergraduate degrees. The sixth option, and an even newer program, is the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development Program. LEAD is geared toward younger Airmen who would be commissioned through the Air Force Academy.

"There are several ways an Airman can apply for commissioning," said Mr. Cox. "All six of the programs have certain requirements, such as age, years of service or marital status. The most important thing I tell Airmen is that they need to learn about their options and then choose the path that is most suited to their lifestyle and future career plans."

To do that, Mr. Cox encourages all Airmen interested in being commissioned to visit this Web site, http://www.airforce.com/education/enlisted/ea_comPrograms.php. This site describes in detail all six options of commissioning. Once an Airman chooses a path, they should then visit their education counselor at their base.

"That's me," said Mr. Cox. "Once they decide which way they want to go, they should come to me and I'll give them a checklist for that program application. The checklist will include every piece of paperwork they need to submit with the application. This includes anything from copies of their medical records to endorsements from their commander or direct supervisor. It's different for every program."

Commissioning can be a lengthy process, and Mr. Cox even recommends Airmen to start the application process one year prior to the application deadline.

"Every program has a very extensive application packet," he said. "Especially with the ROTC programs. First, you have to find a school with your career program, then you have to meet all of the school's admission criteria, such as taking the ACT or SAT, getting copies of your transcripts from everywhere you might have taken a class ... it's not something you can decide to do and then complete in a month."

Not only does the application process take time, an Airman must also be physically ready.

"You need to be in tip-top shape for a lot of these programs," said Mr. Cox. "You have to be prepared physically and mentally."

Commissioning to become an officer is not for all Airmen, but both Mr. Cox and Captain Antwine encourage Airmen to take a look at the opportunity.

"I really enjoy what I do. I like being able to reach out and communicate with people," said Captain Antwine. "As an enlisted Airman, I could do that, but as an officer I can reach out to more people. And it really goes back to the Air Force core beliefs--service before self. As an officer, you have to devote a little more time to your squadron. The job calls for you to be available. A lot of people cross over for the pay, and that's really not a reason to do it. You have to enjoy your job and be able to see a bigger picture."

The following Web sites also contain useful information about the commissioning programs available.

https://www.rs.af.mil/rsoc/ (AFRS Officer Accession Web site)
http://www.afrecruiting.com/news.asp (AFRS Public Affairs News Release Web site)
http://ots.afoats.af.mil (OTS information)
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/offaccess (Line Officer Accessions - board/class start dates, links, career briefs)
http://www.afpc.randolpf.af.mil/afoqts/default.asp (Officers, AFOQT scores)