Photo By Tech. Sgt. Lucas Weber | An Airman pins a first lieutenant rank on an Air Force flight cap at Pittsburgh...... read more read more
Over the past year, the 911th Airlift Wing celebrated the commissioning of several enlisted Airmen, marking a major milestone in their careers as they transition into officer roles.
Commissioned officers in the U.S. military are expected to handle more responsibilities and are held to higher, stricter standards than their enlisted counterparts. The commissioning process can take about two years and is filled with panels, interviews, portfolios and much more. Yet with all the hoops to jump through and red tape to slice, becoming an officer is still a goal for many enlisted Airmen.
Among them are 2nd Lt. Sang Su Kim, now serving as a logistics readiness officer with the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron; 2nd Lt. Sarah Pratt, logistics readiness officer for the 911th Logistics Readiness Squadron; and 2nd Lt. Christian Martine, readiness officer in charge for the 911th Force Support Squadron. Their journeys from enlisted service to commissioned roles reflect the dedication and potential found throughout the wing.
With similar goals in mind, the trio each had their own personal and professional reasons for pursuing a commission. For Pratt, it was the goal from the start.
“I enlisted wanting to commission,” Pratt said. “I saw how an officer with the right mindset in the right place can really improve the squadron around them.”
Pratt, raised in Sykesville, Maryland, is no stranger to the idea of serving. Her grandfather was a ball turret gunner in the Army Air Forces, and her father served as a meteorologist in the Air Force. Following in their footsteps, she carved her own path of service, first as a ramp operator technician with the 32nd APS in 2021. She began working toward a commission two years later, once accepted into the Deserving Airman Program; it took nearly two more years before she took the oath of office in 2024. She summed up the experience with one word: arduous.
Her dedication to protecting others runs deep. Before joining the Air Force, Pratt served as a City of Pittsburgh police officer. She notably served her community a week after the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue attack where she provided security for morning Shabbat as practitioners worshipped on street corners. With her family’s legacy of service behind her, she was driven by a desire to keep her community safe and contribute to the nation’s defense.
While Pratt was securing the streets, another Deserving Airman was working to defend the digital frontline.
Martine initially enlisted to receive healthcare for himself and his family. But it didn’t take long for him to take notice of the 911th AW lifestyle.
“I met the people and saw the cohesion and camaraderie amongst everybody,” said Martine. “I just fell in love with the culture here and wanted to give back.”
Martine was a cyber systems operator for two years before transitioning to a command and control operations specialist for another three. As a civilian, he used his computer science degree and Air Force experience to become a systems administrator for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. With a desire to give back to his unit and put his skills and leadership to the test, the route of becoming a commissioned officer was an obvious next step.
“I talked with my leadership to see what programs existed,” said Martine. “I would not have made it without their support. Once I found out about the Deserving Airman Program, I looked for others who had recently been commissioned to mentor me through the process.”
Now a brand-new lieutenant, fresh out of Officer Training School, Martine is ready to start this next chapter with a new unit – the 911th FSS – in a new position, and alongside new teammates. He sees it as a chance to grow, develop, and build professional relationships from the ground up.
Looking back on his own journey, Martine shares this advice for those considering a similar path, “You’re going to have hurdles. You’re going to have setbacks. Be resilient and don’t get discouraged.”
Pratt and Martine were fortunate enough to make it through the Deserving Airman Program which has been offered by the 911th AW. However, this program is currently going through major changes to ensure the process is standardized across the Air Force Reserve in a way that benefits both the command and the candidates.
When selecting Airmen for commission, it's important to use consistent standards force wide. The Deserving Airman Program previously varied from base to base as independent programs. By standardizing expectations, the 911th AW and other ARFC bases ensure every candidate is evaluated fairly — and that every officer embodies what the Air Force needs.
When reviewing commission applications, Col. Christopher Sopko, deputy commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, looks beyond performance and the core values each and every Airman are expected to uphold. He also considers qualities such as humility, empathy, curiosity, and a servant-leader mindset — traits he sees as essential to strong Airmanship.
Although the Deserving Airman Program may be inactive while these changes are being made, other paths are still available to those feeling the pull towards a commission. One way is through the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
AFROTC is one of three commissioning sources for the Air Force, the other two being the Air Force Academy and OTS. AFROTC allows college and university students to work towards a military commission while working towards a desired degree.
Born in South Korea, Kim comes from an international background. Upon graduating high school and thinking about his next steps in life, Kim wanted to find a way to embrace American society as part of his identity.
“At the time, my focus was getting a college degree,” said Kim. “But I wanted to see what would be the best way to integrate into American culture.”
While Kim continued his studies, he also enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. Additionally, he joined his university’s AFROTC program following his aspirations to commission upon graduation. It was a unique experience, as many of Kim’s classmates hadn’t yet taken the leap into enlisted life.
Kim says he understands the value of that experience. It offers a deeper awareness of enlisted culture and the challenges Airmen face when decisions are handed down from leadership. He believes this perspective is essential for officers who want to lead effectively. Ensuring that leaders at the top consider the impact their choices have at every level.
To anyone looking to commission, Kim echoed similar words from his counterparts – that patience with the process and personal resiliency are key to commissioning. But for those enlisted Airmen looking at the officer route, he gave a little extra advice.
“Stay humble,” he said, “and don’t forget where you came from.”
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2025 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 547410 |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 642 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beyond the stripes: How Steel Airmen transitioned from enlisted to commissioned, by TSgt Lucas Weber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
