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JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 7, 2007

AF seeks additional NECP candidates

By Airman 1st Class Katie Hickerson 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force recently selected 27 enlisted Airmen to attend the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, but due to a shortfall in the number of applicants, a supplemental board will meet in October to select an additional 50 candidates, Air Force-wide, for the spring start date. 

Airmen interested in applying for the NECP must advise the Air Force Personnel Center by Sept. 24 of their intent to apply. Applicants must submit all academic transcripts for evaluation by Oct. 5 and their completed application by Oct. 15. 

The NECP offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need academic field. Students enrolled in the program will complete their degree at a college or university attached to an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment and commission after passing the National Council Licensure Examination. 

"The NECP helps to address the Air Force's need for nurses, and is a great skill to take into retirement," said Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Zachary, 12th Medical Group superintendent. "The Airmen who were selected will become officers and an important part of the health care team." 

Staff Sergeants Katrina Portillo and Tomeka Jones and Senior Airman Jennifer Anderson, all Randolph Air Force Base Airmen, were selected to begin this program in spring 2008. 

"I knew I wanted to be a nurse as a child," Sergeant Jones, Air Force Personnel Center Strategic Airlift and Helicopter Assignments NCO in-charge, said. "I enjoy helping others, especially children, and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to help others and serve my country." 

After NECP completion and licensing as a registered nurse, Sergeant Jones and the other students will receive an active-duty Air Force commission and will attend Commissioned Officer Training at Maxwell AFB, Ala., Chief Zachary said. 

"I look forward to leading and being a mentor to my peers as a commissioned officer," Sergeant Jones said. "I look forward to seeing the joy in the military members', and their families', faces when I am able to medically assist them." 

According to the application guidelines, applicants must be in the grade of E-4 or higher, a U.S. citizen and commissioned by age 42. They must also hold a security clearance. Courts martial conviction or receipt of an Article 15, during current enlistment, makes individuals ineligible to apply. Applicants must submit copies of his or her last five Enlisted Performance Reports and a personal essay. 

Completion of 59 hours of graded college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university and certain classes and labs are required prerequisites.
Some colleges or universities will accept CLEP credit for these courses, minus the lab work, but the applicant must still have earned at least 59 credit-hours of college coursework, according to officials. 

For more complete information on applying for the supplemental board, call the Air Force Contact Center at 1-800-616-3775, or visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil.