KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Mission Support Group is holding an Airman Commissioning Board Dec. 4-5, 2021, and is looking for Airmen who would like to advance their careers by serving as Air Force Reserve officers.
The Airman Commissioning Program provides highly qualified enlisted Airmen who show leadership potential an opportunity to serve as an Air Force officer, said Lt. Col. Costau Bastien, 403rd Force Support Squadron commander.
Selected candidates will fill two positions in the 403rd Force Support Squadron and one position in the 403rd Communications Flight. The 403rd FSS provides force development, manpower, and personnel programs as well as sustainment services to the wing’s 1,700 Airmen and civilians. The 403rd CF is responsible for providing the wing with reliable, secure cyber communication systems and customer service.
“We are looking for high-caliber enlisted Airmen with an outstanding history of duty performance to fill these key positions in the group,” said Bastien. “This is an outstanding opportunity for Reserve Airmen in the 403rd Wing or even Individual Mobilization Augmentees near the Keesler Air Force Base area.”
The board is open to qualified candidates from any Air Force Specialty Code. Airmen must be a participating enlisted reservists with a bachelor’s degree and under the age of 35 by the time of commissioning. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements in Air Force Instruction 36-2005, Officer Accessions. Required items for the application include the following: official school transcripts and qualifying Air Force Officer Qualification Test scores, medical examination paperwork, a resume, last five Enlisted Performance Reports, two letters of recommendations, fitness print outs, a letter from the member’s squadron commander to the board, and a quality force review and letter of endorsement.
Bastien said he highly recommends for Airmen interested in applying to attend the Commissioning Briefing Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Sablich Center, Auditorium 1000, as they will get valuable information there and be able to ask questions about the program. There will also be opportunities for Airmen to take the AFOQT in October and November. To schedule, contact 403rd Wing Education and Training Office Force Development Superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Brett Blanchard at brett.blanchard.1@us.af.mil or 228-377-4408.
Airmen who meet the requirements and are selected for the program will then go to Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to be commissioned as a second lieutenant, followed by the initial job skills training courses at Keesler AFB.
The application packages are due by close of business Nov. 7, 2021, to meet the December board. For information, contact Capt. LaQuita Chambers, 403rd FSS operations officer, at laquita.chambers.2@us.af.mil or 228-377-4415.