Continuing cycle of, journey to becoming an officer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  There are many who strive to become officers in the U.S. Air Force. Thankfully, there are a number of ways they can reach this goal.

One of the people who met this goal was 2nd Lt. Matthew Avila, 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance OIC, even though that was not his intention when he joined the Air Force.

"I originally enlisted into the Air Force to travel, have my eyes fixed and to get my degree," said Avila.

Avila went on to say the people he worked with in sheet metal while he was an Airman in aircraft structural maintenance and the mission being directly affected by what he did everyday are what made him fall in love with the Air Force. This along with his desire for his education changed his original four-year plan into a career.

After making a trip to his base education office and filling end several applications he was approved to go the Air Force Academy so that he could earn both his bachelors' degree and commission. After four years in the academy, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Now the lieutenant strives to help those who wish to commission. He currently acts as an admissions liaison officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Regional Officer Training Corps candidates in Europe.

According to Avila there are three ways that someone can become an officer in the Air Force.
· The U.S. Air Force Academy which is a four-year program.
· ROTC, where a service member joins the program while attending a civilian college. This program must be completed within four years, but can be less if the applicant has prior applicable college credit.
· Officer Training School, for service members who have already earned a college degree.

"Each of these programs has their challenges," said Avila. "It is up to each individual (to determine) which one will best suit (his/her) transition into an officer."

Avila is one of several ALOs who meest with candidates to interview them for a place at the USAFA or ROTC. In this interview he asks simple questions such as, "What does integrity mean to you?" "Why do you want to be an officer?" and "What motivated you to apply for a commission?" Based on the candidates' answers, he sends a recommendation to the commissioning program.

"The end results to these programs are that the candidate becomes an officer," said Avila. "If the only thing you want is to earn a degree then I suggest a different route."

Although the interview with him is an enlightening look into the officer world for any candidate, Avila suggests that a person's first stop should be the base education office. The education office can give any aspiring officer on each of the programs.

To learn more about any of the three, commissioning sources, contact the base education office at DSN 238-2350, commercial at 01638 542350 or Avila at DSN 238-4397, commercial 01638-544397.