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Head of the class

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kathrine McDowell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  05/19/2009 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Shaw Education Center has announced the results of the 2009 Airman Education and Commissioning Program selection board. Out of the 58 selected applicants Air Force-wide, six had their packages completed at Shaw, the most from any base this year.

Shaw's selectees are: Jamar Adams, 20th CES/CEF; Duy Nguyen, 20th CES/CEOFP; Jose Torres, 9th AF/USAFCENT/A6; Lacy Regan, Aaron Sipos and Amanda Walker, 31st IS. 

"These are deserving, committed airmen," said Jon Wright, Shaw guidance counselor. "All of them have been working hard on the application process over the last year or more." 

The AECP allows enlisted personnel to keep their active duty status as they earn their degree in one of three general areas of study: technical, nursing and foreign language/area studies. Once selected, personnel are promoted to E-5 if they are of a lower rank. Then they are administratively assigned to the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps detachment of the college or university they are to attend. Upon completion of their degree, the AECP graduate will go to Officer Training School or Commissioned Officer Training for commissioned nurses.

"Their job title will become 'student'," said Wright, "They are active duty and will receive at least E-5 pay and benefits as they go to school full-time."

AECP students are also provided with tuition and fees up to $18,000 per year as well as an annual textbook allowance of $600.

"The process to submit the packet is extremely stressful and very detail oriented," said Senior Airman Lacy Regan, 31st Intelligence Squadron. "It isn't something for the faint of heart and pretests the metal of anyone desiring a commissioning."

The AECP program is as competitive as it is demanding. Although the minimum GPA for the required 30+ semester hours of course work is 3.0, all boarded applicants that were selected averaged a 3.5 GPA or better since 2005 according to the AECP 2009 newsletter.

When asked on the inspiration for pursuing the program, Staff Sgt. Jamar Adams, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fireman, referred to something his father, Air Force retired Chief Master sgt. had told him. "Every generation should improve from the last." Adams plans on having his father give the first salute at his commissioning ceremony.

"It's a huge honor to make it," said Staff Sgt. Jose Torres of the 609th Air Communications Squadron. "It's still sinking in. I highly encourage anyone interested to start their course work. All the required classes really add up."

When asked what he did to celebrate, he answered, "My wife treated me to a five dollar foot-long sandwich from Subway. It was payback really. I took her to McDonald's for our first date."

The first steps in completing the package are reading the AECP online information at http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/AFROTC/EnlistedComm/EnlistedCommissioning.asp and see the commissioning guidance counselor at the education center.

"I challenge all Airmen who are interested in this program to establish a goal of higher education, fully commit to it and see it through," said Wright. "These programs are designed for you. Good things come to those who are willing to work hard and persevere!"