Medical: enlisted to officer brief

Maj. Joseph Kirkman (right), 4th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, speaks to a group of Airmen during a medical commissioning brief, Feb. 9, 2016, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Airmen had the opportunity to directly ask questions about the commissioning process with multiple officers of the 4th Medical Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)

Medical: enlisted to officer brief

Col. Paul Conner, 4th Medical Group commander, begins the medical enlisted to officer commissioning brief, Feb. 9, 2016, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. More than 15 career fields were represented during the briefing where Airmen had the opportunity to speak with officers in the career field of their interest. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)

Medical: enlisted to officer brief

Master Sgt. Angenette Caballero, 4th Force Support Squadron superintendent of education and training, gives an introduction on various ways to commission, Feb. 9, 2016, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. More than 50 Airmen attended a briefing about commissioning into several different medical careers fields. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)

Medical: enlisted to officer brief

Published Feb. 12, 2016
By Airman Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Officers from the 4th Medical Group held a commissioning brief, Feb. 9, to give enlisted Airmen a chance to ask questions and gain information on how to commission into the Air Force as a medical officer.

More than 50 Airmen attended the briefing to learn about approximately 15 medical career fields represented. Officers for the majority of the careers were there to answer questions about how to commission into their field.

"One of the reasons (Second) Lieutenant (Ryan) Comes and myself wanted to make a medical enlisted to officer brief was because we wanted to show Airmen all the different medical Air Force Specialty Codes that we have available to them," said 1st Lt. Kristin Drell, 4th Medical Support Squadron readiness flight commander. "Hopefully they can meet with someone, develop a relationship, maybe a mentor, or a point of contact, someone who can help them and guide them along the way and hopefully we can cultivate an awesome group of Airmen."

According to Drell, all of the medical AFSCs have a unique application process and not all scholarships or tuition assistance through the Air Force apply to all the medical career fields as a whole. Because each AFSC has a different set of qualifiers and disqualifiers Airmen are encourage to contact an officer recruiter for more information.

The Health Professions Scholarship Program is one scholarship offered to those who wish to complete degrees in optometry, clinical psychology, public health, pharmacy, nursing corps specialties, medical corps and dental corps. The Financial Assistance Program, and the Continuing Medical Education program are also available for Air Force members to commission.

Another option presented to Airmen was the Palace Chase program, which allows Airmen the opportunity to attend school full-time to finish their degrees for the career they desire. For more information on Palace Chase, contact the Air Force Reserve recruiter at 919-722-2258 or the Air National Guard recruiter at 1-800-864-6264.

During the brief, Airmen were given the opportunity to speak with officers in their career of interest in order to glean information about that AFSC and how that officer commissioned.

"The format for this briefing was really cool," said Senior Airman Charles Amara, 4th MDSS health administrator. "I got to talk to officers and get some information from their point of view and experience. It was very helpful because we got resources, information face-to-face instead of the internet. It was a great opportunity."

For more information or to get in contact with a point of call Drell at 919-722-0926 or contact the Education Office at 919-722-5800.