APRIL 11, 2014, JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) – The application window is open for active-duty Air Force captains interested in applying for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains Ph.D. Program which exposes rising officers to a unique learning experience at a top-tier university.
The program offers the opportunity for three captains to obtain their doctoral degrees in strategic studies at an elite civilian institution, beginning in 2018, in order to build a cadre of strategic thinkers.
“The more opportunities Airmen have to broaden their skill sets, the more capabilities they bring to the fight,” said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Fobbs, the NCO in charge of officer developmental education at the Air Force Personnel Center.
The program’s premise is that the intellectual development of officers, especially in critical thinking skills relatively early in a career, will result in Air Force and joint leaders who have the ability to communicate at a strategic level with civilian leadership across enterprises.
The selection panel will consider nominations from all Line of the Air Force career fields as long as officers are released to compete by their assignment teams. Applicants will be selected based on military performance, strength of application, letters of nomination, past academic performance and personal statements.
“The need for our force to possess the right occupational skills and institutional competencies is at the core of force development and is the foundation for all deliberate development efforts,” Fobbs said.
Degree options include Asia Pacific studies, history, political science, international relations, economics, philosophy, international business relations, international security studies, and political systems and theories.
Interested officers should submit their packages and career field release approval to their major commands, combatant commands, forward operating agencies, direct reporting units or the Air Force District of Washington through their chains of command. Packages are due to the AFPC Assignment and Workforce Development Support Branch by July 14, 2017, with no waivers to qualification criteria or deadlines.
Complete eligibility and application requirements, including degree and school options, can be found on myPers. Select “Active Duty Officer” from the dropdown menu and search “Prestigious.”
By Kat Bailey, Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs