WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- On Dec. 10, 2020, (then) Officer Trainee Samuel Vasquez, 63d Intelligence Squadron, was administered the Oath of Office virtually by 2nd Lt. Christopher Ramirez, 71st Intelligence Squadron, commissioning him as a second lieutenant at Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Both were previously enlisted, serving together as flight chiefs at the 63 IS and were selected to earn commissions at Officer Training School through the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing’s Non-Extended Active Duty Airmen Commissioning Program (Non-EAD ACP).
Ramirez was a 2018 Non-EAD ACP select and was chosen to serve at the 71 IS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Vasquez was a 2019 Non-EAD ACP select and was chosen to serve at the 42 IS at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
The Non-EAD Airmen commissioning program is a path for enlisted U.S. citizens of high moral character and personal qualifications possessing a bachelor’s or higher degree to earn a commission in the U.S. Air Force Reserve to fill vacant non-rated line positions.
Other eligibility requirements include: U.S. citizenship, medically qualified or medically acceptable with waiver, and be under the age of 40 prior to graduating Total Force Officer Training (TFOT), at Officer Training School.
The Non-EAD ACP is a “green light” from your wing leadership to apply to TFOT, and ultimately fill the wing’s vacant positions, according to the Non-EAD ACP Process guide dated Sept. 24, 2019. Once accepted as a candidate, Airmen have one year from the date of notification to complete all requirements and obtain a date for TFOT.
To meet with the board, eligible members must do four things: Gain unit commander approval, take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, (AFOQT) complete an application package, and finally, interview with the Non-EAD ACP Board at a scheduled time.
The board is a rigorous screening and interview process conducted by an appointed panel and approved by the board resident. The board conducts a review of all applications and scores each objectively. In addition, the board interviews applicants and scores the interviews. Scoring is based on the whole person concept. Factors such as duty performance, job responsibility, experience, supervisory and leadership ability and style, verbal communication skills, military bearing and appearance, AFOQT scores, academic transcripts, career experiences, knowledge of current events, and physical fitness scores are considered. The board president ensures that scoring of candidates is fair, impartial, and standardized. The board then recommends which candidates are best suited for identified position vacancies within their wing.
Second Lieutenants Ramirez and Vasquez offered their advice to Airmen who are interested in pursuing this program.
“Begin by mentally and physically preparing yourself immediately. Nothing about you will be overlooked. From your uniform and your AFOQT scores, to your Letter of Intent to commission, to your in-person board interview, all are a piece of the whole person concept,” Ramirez said. “If you’ve struggled or are currently struggling for opportunities to help channel or bring forth your leadership capabilities, openly ask your leadership or employers for additional responsibilities. The empowerment and challenges bestowed upon me by my 63 IS leaders were crucial to preparing me to readily assume greater responsibilities. In hindsight, it was their challenges that led me to understand that my previous decision making only affected me, but that as an officer, my decisions would certainly touch the lives of all,” Ramirez said.
Vasquez added, “Don’t sell yourself short. You are who you choose to be and if you constantly strive for excellence, that is what you will get. No matter how hard it gets you can get through it as long as you never give up.”
The applicant package deadline of Jan. 15, 2021 is quickly approaching for the 2021 iteration of the 655 ISRW’s Non-Extended Active Duty Airmen Commissioning Program board. The opportunity is open to members both within and outside of the 655 ISRW.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact your squadron superintendent for more details.