McConnell Airmen selected for commissioning program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Trevor Rhynes
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Two McConnell Airmen were selected for the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, June 17, here.

The program gives enlisted Airmen from all career fields the opportunity to go to school to complete their Bachelor's degree and commission as a nurse in the Air Force.

"In order to be selected, you really had to have solid records," said Chief Master Sgt. Yvonne Miller, 22nd Medical Group superintendent. "For instance; outstanding Enlisted Performance Reports, no fitness issues, awards and recognitions, and academics make you stand out amongst your peers. These examples are just a few items the board looked for during the selection process."

Seventy eight candidates applied for the opportunity to commission, with 48 being selected for a 58 percent selection rate. Five Airmen were selected from Air Mobility Command, with two of those being part of Team McConnell.

"This opportunity makes me feel as though I'm moving on in the world, that this is another stepping stone to becoming a nurse, which is something I've always known I wanted to do," said Senior Airman April Urie, family health clinic technician. "I'm looking forward to facing the new challenges that come with this."

Those challenges include stepping away from most military commitments to attend a school of the applicants choosing. Members still take physical fitness tests and act as a member of local detachments during the schools summer break and other holidays.

Training doesn't stop at college. After graduation there is still a commissioning program and technical school left to complete, after which the selected Airmen become officers.

"Being selected says a lot about the culture within a group," said Miller. "They had and will continue to have, the 22nd Medical Group tanker medics behind them. They are true role models for all Airmen to emulate."

The other McConnell selectee said that this gives him another chance to do what he says he likes so much.

"My passion is taking care of people," said Master Sgt. Richard Rubi, 22nd Medical Operations Squadron medical services flight, flight chief. "I really like the feeling I get when I'm helping people. I don't think I could do anything else except something in the medical career field and I'm very grateful for this opportunity."