Enlisted Airmen go from stripes to bars

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Enlisted Airmen begin their careers with basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, but for some, enlistment may not be the only career path in the Air Force. Enlisted Airmen also have the opportunity to commission to become an officer, and there are six different commissioning programs to choose from.

The first four are Reserve Officer Training Corps programs; the Airman Education and Commissioning Program; Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program; Professional Officer Course Early Release Program; and Scholarship for Outstanding Airman to ROTC. The last two are Officer Training School and Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development, which will commission Airmen directly to becoming an officer.

Each of the ROTC programs provides Airmen with the opportunity to complete their degrees in a college setting. The OTS program is for Airmen who have a bachelor's degree or will complete it within one year. LEAD allows commanders to identify outstanding and deserving Airmen to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.

To apply, Airmen will have to take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test similar to the scholarship aptitude test and American College Testing Assessment that measures aptitudes and is used to select applicants for officer commissioning programs.

They'll also need to complete a package that varies depending on the program for which the applicants are applying. Some items in the package include recommendations, medical information, physical training scores, end-of-year performance records, schools attended and grade point average.

Staff Sgt. Troy Anderson, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, who is applying to commission through ASCP has wanted to become an officer since he began his career five years ago.

"Before I decided to apply I wanted to have more experience," Anderson said. "As an enlisted member, I've gotten to see the ins and outs, the dynamics of the Air Force and how it really operates."

Even if an Airman is accepted into one of the ROTC programs, he or she is still not guaranteed a commission.

"When they're about two years away from graduating, they will compete in an enrollment allotment, which allows a selected amount of enlisted to become lieutenants," said Sandra Cooper, 56th Force Support Squadron education office guidance counselor. "If the Airman doesn't make it, he or she would have to re-enlist because they left active duty."

There are two different types of officers Airmen can become: rated and nonrated.

Rated officers are the pilots, air battle managers and remotely piloted aircraft operators. The nonrated officers are the officers who are not involved with flight operations.

Second Lt. Gregory Thomas, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron executive officer, commissioned through an ROTC program after being enlisted for four years.

"Being an officer is much different than being an enlisted Airman because of the responsibilities," Thomas said. "The enlisted experience I have has helped me become more resourceful to help my Airmen as a lieutenant."

For more information on how to become an officer, call Cooper at (623) 856-7948.