Scott Airmen accepted into officer training schools

Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia | Airman First Class Trevor Pratt, 375th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, has received an Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy through the Leaders Encourage Airmen Development Program.  

UNITED STATES

04.21.2016

Story by Airman Daniel Garcia 

375th Air Mobility Wing

Two enlisted Airmen are on their way to becoming officers through two different programs.

Senior Airman Jason Latchem, 375th Medical Operations Squadron health services manager, was accepted to the Naval Officer Candidate School, and Airman First Class Trevor Pratt, 375th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

After contacting the Naval Recruiting District in St. Louis, to inquire about the feasibility of transferring from enlisted active duty Air Force to naval officer, Latchem was scheduled to take the Aviation Selection Test Battery.

"I had good test scores and began the application process with the Navy," said Latchem. "After making several phone calls and asking many questions, I discovered that I had to put in a voluntary separation request through the virtual military personnel flight in order to receive approval through my squadron commander, the wing commander, and finally Air Force Personnel Center. After being accepted by the Navy and providing proof of acceptance, I was given my approval by AFPC and received my separation orders soon after."

Latchem will go through a 12-week course in Newport, R.I., which is essentially boot camp for naval officers. The program will focus on physical training, militarization, academics and the application of leadership.

"Although the opportunity to lead and influence change for the better is not exclusive to the officer ranks, I wanted to take on greater responsibility and hopefully achieve a greater impact by becoming an officer," said Latchem. "I also wanted to take on a more combat-oriented role as an officer, which the Navy was offering."

Latchem said he feels that his enlisted experience will be very beneficial when he becomes an officer.

"I think that being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes is crucial to being a good leader and my enlisted experience helps me to better do that," said Latchem. "I want to leave everything better than I found it and one day reach a command level position to help foster growth and success for those under my command like my leaders have done for me. Ultimately, I want to have an impact that will be felt long after I have left the service."

Pratt first learned about the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development commissioning opportunity a year ago and set his sights on applying to the Air Force Academy.

"It has been a dream of mine since I was a child, but I never thought I had a chance," said Pratt. "Once I found out the Academy reserves spots for prior enlisted, and that I actually had a decent chance of getting in, I got started on the application process. The academy is a top-notch school that breeds top-notch officers, and I was not going to let that opportunity pass."

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will house Pratt for four years while he obtains his degree in aeronautical engineering in hopes of becoming a pilot.

"I was very surprised that I had been accepted for direct appointment rather than the prep school," said Pratt. "Everything I had been working toward for the past eight months had paid off, and it was a huge relief. Being an air traffic controller has really opened my eyes to the aviation field, and I think it would be awesome to be on the other side of the mic."

Maj. Jennifer Coyne worked with Pratt as his Air Force Admissions Liaison Officer for the LEAD program and said she is excited to see where he will go in his career.

"We're proud of Airman Pratt's success and look forward to all he'll continue to achieve as both a successful cadet and future officer," she said.

Pratt said that his enlisted time has benefited him to become mature enough to handle going to the Air Force Academy, instead of going straight out of high school.

"I don't think I would have thrived, or even survived at the Academy," said Pratt. "Because of my enlisted experience I will be able to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities they have there. My current squadron commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Getty, is someone I will strive to be like.

"He takes the time to get to know his Airmen, and it has really made an impact on the squadron.

"I will know the mindset of the younger Airmen since I have been in their position and I will be able to use that to my advantage."

• Date Taken: 04.21.2016
• Date Posted: 04.27.2016 13:10
• Story ID: 196660
• Location: US