Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

  • Published
  • By Daniel Elkins
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the Enlisted-to-AFIT program. The program is designed to provide commanders with a diverse and renewable source of highly proficient and educated career NCOs.

Nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 29 and can be sent to afpc.dpafe.orgbox@randolph.af.mil.

"Providing the opportunity for enlisted Airmen to attend AFIT demonstrates the value and importance of education and force development," said Col. Mike Morris, AFPC Assignment Support Division chief. "Not only is it an excellent opportunity to further their academic development, it's a force multiplier in enhancing the skills that make up the combat capability of the service."

Airmen interested in applying for the 18- to 24-month program must be at least a technical sergeant with a minimum of eight years time in service, 24 months time on station and three years retainability upon graduation. They must have completed the appropriate skill-level upgrade and resident professional military education schooling for their rank, officials said.

Applicants must also possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a Community College of the Air Force degree.

Besides academic transcripts, applicants have to provide test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Admission Test, depending upon the specific AFIT degree-program requirements.

AFIT is the Air Force's graduate school of engineering and management and its institution for technical professional continuing education. Since residence degrees were first granted in 1956, more than 16,000 masters and 350 doctorate of philosophy degrees have been awarded. Since the Enlisted-to-AFIT program began in 2002, 61 servicemembers have graduated, including 52 Air Force and 9 Marine NCOs. There are presently 16 enlisted members attending AFIT, 15 Air Force and one Marine.

"The strength of our NCO corps is one of the things that makes us the most powerful Air Force in the world," said Brig. Gen. Walter D. Givhan, AFIT commandant. "Education is the very foundation of that strength, and our recent celebration of AFIT's 90th Anniversary is lasting testament to our service's long tradition of educating Airmen. I encourage all active duty Airmen to consider this unique program."

For more details on nomination procedures visit the AFPC "Ask" Web site or call the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102 or DSN 665-5000. For more information on academic qualifications and applications visit www.afit.edu/en/admissions/officeinfo.cfm?a=contactinfo.