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Air Commando selected for commissioning program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexx Pons
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
An Airman assigned to the 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron was recently selected for the Airman Scholarship & Commissioning Program (ASCP).

Staff Sgt. Goldie Silvestre’s selection means she will transition from the active-duty Air Force later this year, join an Air Force ROTC detachment and become a full-time college student.

“I had the privilege of working with Goldie toward the beginning of her career, and this selection is both awesome and expected,” stated Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Caruso, command chief of Air Force Special Operations Command. “She is an amazing Airman to say the least.”

According to information available on the Air University website, the ASCP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission who can complete all bachelor degree and commissioning requirements in two to four years as an Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet.

“I cannot express enough how honored and thankful I am to be chosen for this program,” Silvestre said. “I would not be where I am today without the trust, support and guidance of my peers and leadership.”

The Air Force will provide her with a tuition and fees scholarship of up to $18,000 annually, along with an annual textbook allowance and monthly nontaxable stipend. This scholarship will depend on how many years Silvestre has remaining in her bachelor's degree program. Upon graduation and completion of the program, she will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and incur a military obligation of four years on active duty and four years within the Reserve.

“I will be majoring in business administration,” said Silvestre. “I would love to go back to contracting if given the opportunity; but of course, I will do whatever the Air Force asks of me.”

Wondering how Silvestre was selected among all applicants? A selection board is held once per year. The board utilizes the "whole person" concept to evaluate each applicant. As part of the board process, applicants are evaluated on their ability to put their package together in the proper format in accordance with the enlisted commissioning program checklist and directions.

And selection is no small feat. ASCP board selection percentages have dropped dramatically within previous years; statistics available online show that in 2011 the selection rate was nearly 90 percent, whereas in 2014 they were only about 25 percent.

“My class does not begin until August,” said Silvestre. “I am very sad to say goodbye to my Cannon teammates. We are a family here, and I cannot say enough how much I will miss this incredible squadron.”

So who is eligible? Prospective applicants will:

-Be a United States citizen.
-Meet the age requirements.
-Have at least one year Time-In-Service. (Waiverable)
-Have at least one year Time-On-Station at board convening date. (Board is held in December) (Waiverable)
-Be recommended by your immediate commander on Air Force Form 56.
-Must be able to complete their degree in two to four years and be considered a full-time student by the university.
- Have at least 24 hours of graded college course work with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
- Have a minimum ACT composite score of 26, an SAT combined score of 1,180 or an Air Force Officer Qualifying Test score of 57.
-Have at least 24 hours of graded college course work with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
-Have at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of math or physical science, or four semesters or six quarters of the same foreign language while maintaining at least a C-minus in each course upon graduation.

While the above is not all-inclusive criteria, Airmen can research more detailed requirements in Air Force Instruction 36-2013, Air Force ROTC Instruction 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and AFI 36-2005.

For those members who are interested in applying, take a look at the program application page.