Photo By Airman Alexis Adams | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alex Diego, 91st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, poses...... read more read more
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MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.-- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alex Diego, 91st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, was nominated and selected for the Senior Leader Commissioning Program - Active Duty Scholarship (SLECP-A) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 5, 2025.
SLECP-A is a competitive commissioning program, where enlisted Airmen are granted a scholarship to complete a bachelor's degree. While in school, they are attached to a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) detachment, and retain their active-duty status and rank. After graduation, selectees attend Officer Training School where they will receive their commission.
Diego earned the SLECP-A selection after being nominated by his squadron leadership. He dedicated time and research to understanding the program and application process. This included a personal essay on why he would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
After submitting his full SLECP-A package, Diego was interviewed by U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Ottenwess, 6th ARW command chief, who determined that he was the right Airman to represent the 6th ARW in the SLECP-A program.
"If you don’t feel competitive enough to make the program, make them tell you no,” said Diego.
Diego knew he was interested in commissioning after being inspired by the pilots he worked with daily who were once enlisted Airmen, and his wife who is actively working on a master’s degree. Diego did not originally plan to commission when he left Guam to join the Air Force in Dec. 2015.
“I wanted to leave home and do something new,” said Diego.“I didn’t want to stay stagnant.”
Although Diego is currently a boom operator, he plans to study information technology while in the SLECP-A program. He has always been interested in the topic and SLECP-A allows students to choose any degree program that will qualify them for an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).
Diego hopes to inspire other enlisted Airmen to consider applying for the SLECP-A program. He also wants to set a positive example and inspire children in Guam to join the Air Force for the opportunities and education it offers. At first, Diego was unsure if he would qualify for SLECP-A, but looking back, he is grateful that he stepped out of his comfort zone and applied.
“I just pushed through, even looking back now I would still go through the process and try,” said Diego.
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2026 08:41 |
| Story ID: | 556850 |
| Location: | MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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