Gunfighters prepare to trade their stripes for bars

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Recently, three enlisted Gunfighters were accepted to the United States Air Force Officer Training School.

Those selected were Staff Sgt. Larry B. Ingersoll, 366th Operations Support Squadron; Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Varnier, 366th Maintenance Operations Squadron; and Senior Airman Sharrah E. Jones, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron

With a 10 percent selection rate Air Force wide, 100 percent of the applicants here were selected.

According to the OTS official Web site, http://www.afoats.af.mil/OTS/index.asp, the mission of OTS is to "produce world-class officers of character possessing the American warrior ethos, prepared to lead Airmen, and embodying the Air Force core values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence."

During the selection process, three Air Force colonels act as board members and review both objective and subjective factors. Objectively, the board considers each applicant's academic discipline, grade point average and Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores. Subjectively, board members evaluate work experience, accomplishments, adaptability, character, leadership ability, potential for future growth and other recommendations. For active-duty enlisted Airmen, performance reports and commander's recommendations are also evaluated.

But before getting to this point, applicants must complete their Community College of the Air Force degrees, which can pose quite a challenge for some.

Sergeant Ingersoll began working toward his degree in 2002. During his schooling, he faced five deployments and numerous temporary duty assignments, but continued working toward his goal.

"I earned credits through College Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support testing in addition to in-residence classes at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Mountain Home AFB along with on-line classes," he said.

Sergeant Ingersoll majored in professional aeronautics with minors in international relations and management.

After completing the required upgrade training for his job, Sergeant Varnier began taking college classes at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2004.

"Based on my interests and Air Force career as a crew chief, we decided that a goal of a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics would be the best fit," he said. "With the support of my supervisor and other leadership, I was able to complete most of my degree requirements taking on-line and live classes."

Even though Sergeant Varnier was only able to take one or two classes at a time, he kept at it until he received his degree.

"Over the years I almost lost track of my progress as I tried to plug away at my degree one or two classes at a time," he said. "Finally, when I moved to the maintenance training flight, I was able to reevaluate my progress and focus on finishing up my degree."

He then used his degree to apply for Officer Training School.

"With the encouragement of various people in different leadership positions, I decided that I would go ahead and apply for an OTS slot, as I was right up against the age limit," he said. "Everyone was very helpful, from the education center to the ERAU office, and I couldn't have done it without the support of my supervision and squadron leadership all the way back to the beginning of my Air Force career."

Those who received their degrees before joining the Air Force, like Airman Jones, also had the opportunity to apply for OTS.

"After graduating from Rensselaer High school in 2000, I attended Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y.," said Airman Jones, who comes from a military oriented family. "In May 2004, I graduated with bachelor's degrees in business administration organizational communications. Once college was over, I began the military process and was in the delayed entry program for a year."

Airman Jones had a goal of becoming an officer even before joining the Air Force.

"I've always wanted to go to OTS," she said. "I wanted to do it before joining the Air Force, but the wait was too long."

Once the opportunity to apply came up, Airman Jones submitted her application.

OTS consists of the 24th and 23rd training squadrons and 22nd Training Support Squadron located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

The 24th TS is a twelve-week, pre-commissioning program called Basic Officer Training used to prepare college graduates for the professional and physical requirements of service as Air Force officers. During the course, trainees receive more than 180 hours of academic classes, more than 80 hours of leadership activities and a week-long Air Expeditionary Force exercise. BOT commissions more than 600 second lieutenants annually.

The 23rd TS consists of Commissioned Officer Training, which is a four-and-a-half week program used to train health professionals, judge advocates and chaplains that receive direct commissions in the Air Force. Training includes 85 hours of instruction, 40 hours of leadership activities and an emergency medical response exercise in an expeditionary environment. COT trains 1,300 second lieutenants through lieutenant colonels each year.

The 22nd TSS provides training support for OTS programs including instruction on military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, physical fitness, medical training and expeditionary leadership along with support for personnel, finance and equipment use.

For more information concerning OTS and the application process, active-duty Airmen should contact their local education office; civilians should contact their nearest Air Force recruiter.