The Air Force offers officers many opportunities for career-broadening assignments, including scholarships and fellowships. Below are highlights; the officer developmental education and special programs section in myPers has more information.
White House fellowship
The President's Commission on White House Fellowships chooses 11 to 19 professionals to spend a year in Washington, D.C., learning about public service and leadership. Fellows are placed in the offices of Cabinet secretaries, senior White House staff, and other high-level executive branch officials. They regularly meet with private- and public-sector leaders and travel domestically and internationally to study U.S. policy in action.
To be eligible in 2017, officers must have 24 months time on station by Aug. 16 if permanently assigned within the continental U.S. If permanently assigned overseas, officers must have a date eligible to return from overseas between July 16 and July 17. Officers with a previously approved assignment are not eligible to apply without prior approval of the Air Force Personnel Center's director of assignments and American Expeditionary Forces operations.
Nomination memorandums tentatively are due to AFPC by July 31.
Congressional fellowship
Capitol Hill fellows receive an intensive orientation to Congress; a full-time assignment to the staff of a congressional member, committee or support agency; and periodic seminars throughout the fellowship year.
They write and develop research for potential legislation issues of concern to the Air Force and the nation.
To be eligible, officers must be majors within their three-year developmental education window of eligibility.
Traditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April each year.
Olmstead Scholar Program
The Olmsted Scholar Program selects line officers to study a foreign language at an international university abroad. The purpose is to give officers an in-depth understanding of foreign languages and cultures so they will be knowledgeable and sensitive to the viewpoints and concerns of people around the world as they progress in their Air Force careers. Eligible are active-duty line officers with at least three years commissioned service but not more than 11 years of total active federal military service as of April 1. Eligible Air Force specialty codes are: 11X, 12X, 13X, 14X, 17X, 18X, 21X, 31X, 32X, 38X, 61X, 62X and 63X.
Applications for 2017 tentatively are due to AFPC by Aug. 15.
Mansfield Fellowship Program
The Mansfield Fellowship Program — named after Mike Mansfield, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, U.S. Senate majority leader and U.S. congressman from Montana — has been restructured for the upcoming year to allow 10fellows to participate in a shorter, one-year program in Japan. The shorter program is expected to increase the number of fellows who are able to participate.
The program includes an intensive Japanese language program in Ishikawa Prefecture and 10 months of placements in Tokyo. Fellows develop an in-depth understanding of Japan's government and policymaking process and establish relationships with their Japanese counterparts in government, as well as in the business, professional and academic communities. After completing the program, fellows are required to serve at least two additional years in the federal government where it is anticipated they will continue to work on projects involving Japan.
To be eligible in 2017, members must have at least 24 months time on station by June 17 if permanently assigned within the continental U.S. If permanently assigned overseas, officers must have a date eligible to return from overseas between May 17 and April 18. Officers with a previously approved assignment are not eligible to apply without prior approval of the AFPC director of assignments and AEF operations. Eligible officers also must have sufficient retainability to serve an active-duty commitment equal to three times the length of training upon completion of the program, and they must be available for reassignment.
Nominations tentatively are due to AFPC by July 31.
Harvard University
The Air Force has several programs whereby officers study at Harvard University:
John F. Kennedy School of Government master's degree in public administration. The program prepares experienced professionals to assume significant leadership roles by teaching skills in analyzing strategic public and nonprofit management, quantitative methods, political advocacy, leadership and ethics.
This is an Intermediate Developmental Education program open to Air Force Mmajors within their three-year developmental education window of eligibility.
Officers are eligible for some Harvard University scholarships and fellowships.
Photo Credit: Mass.gov
Traditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April.
Belfer Center fellowship. The Belfer Center is the hub of the Kennedy School's research, teaching and training in international security affairs, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy. Center researchers not only conduct scholarly research, but also develop prescriptions for policy reform. Faculty and fellows analyze global challenges, from nuclear proliferation and terrorism to climate change and energy policy.
This is an Air Force Senior Developmental Education program open to lieutenant colonels within their four-year window of eligibility. Traditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April of each year.
Belfer Center nuclear fellowship. The Belfer Center's Project on Managing the Atom brings together scholars and practitioners who conduct policy-relevant research on issues affecting the future of nuclear weapons, the nuclear nonproliferation regime and nuclear energy — particularly where these futures intersect, for example in the management and protection of fissile material.
This is an Air Force Senior Developmental Education program open to lieutenant colonels within their four-year window of eligibility. Traditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April of each year.
The National Security Fellows Program
This 10-month postgraduate research fellowship is for U.S.military officers and government civilians from the intelligence community.
Fellows participate in the National Security Fellows Executive Program when they arrive in the summer; pursue group research projects and write a paper aimed at senior policymakers; audit classes at Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Fletcher School; attend guest speaker seminars; and participate in working groups associated with area academic research centers. After they leave, fellows continue to take part in events organized for Kennedy School alumni.
This is an Air Force Senior Developmental Education program open to lieutenant colonels within their four-year window of eligibility. raditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April of each year.
Cyberspace scholarship
This strategic policy fellowship develops officers' understanding of air, space and cyberspace power, and it broadens their perspectives through personal observation of senior Defense Department, Air Force, legislative, political and academic leaders making strategy and policy decisions.
The mission of the fellowship is to develop leaders with a broader understanding of international security and civil military affairs who also can advocate for air and space power issues on a broader platform.
This is an Air Force Senior Developmental Education program open to lieutenant colonels within their four-year window of eligibility. raditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April of each year.
British Advanced Command and Staff Course
Graduates are able to identify and understand U.S. interests as they apply to the United Kingdom. Officers will acquire a firsthand practical sense of the country and region and build contacts needed to serve effectively in key political-military positions.
This is an Intermediate Developmental Education program open to majors within their three-year developmental education window of eligibility. Traditionally, applications via the Air Force 3849 nomination process are due in March or April of each year.
