AIR FORCE TAKES MAN IT REJECTED\T.O. resident wins age fight.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

David Edwards' dream of joining the Air Force at 35 is taking wing thanks to the same bureaucracy that grounded his plans last month.

After a monthlong battle to contest a law barring him from becoming a commissioned line officer because of his age, Edwards confirmed Monday that the Air Force will accept his application for Officer Training School after all.

The happy officer candidate says he had faith that the Air Force would come through.

"I knew deep down at the bottom of my heart that my impression of the Air Force was right: These are good people," he said.

Edwards' longest month began Jan. 29, 17 days after his 35th birthday and only hours before he was to report to Officer Training School. Edwards was notified that he could not become a commissioned Air Force officer because a federal law bars anyone unable to complete 20 years of commissioned service before their 55th birthday.

Though he had obtained the age waiver required of applicants over 30, Air Force officials had overlooked the law during initial processing, catching it only during a final check of Edwards' paperwork.

At the time, Edwards thought it would take a presidential order to get him into the Air Force. He appealed to the White House, the Pentagon, local legislators and others for help.

As it turned out, it didn't take an executive order, just some research.

Maj. Bob Wimple of the Air Force's office of legislative liaison in the Pentagon said officials swung into action when Edwards contacted them about his plight. They dug into statutes, policies and regulations to see whether any addressed the situation and what could be done about it.

As it turned out, the researchers unearthed information showing that they legally could make an exception in Edwards' case, Wimple said.

The Pentagon gave Edwards the good news Friday and told him to report for training March 18, Wimple said. Edwards called the Pentagon to confirm the news Monday.

Wimple acknowledged that the Air Force made a mistake by not catching the age discrepancy earlier and said it made a concerted effort to rectify the situation.

"So it's a good deal," Wimple said. "It's unfortunate that he had to go through this, but it turned out right."

Edwards will be on active duty on reserve commission as a 2nd lieutenant, Wimple said. The vast majority of people getting out of Officer Training School go on reserve commission, then can apply for regular commissions.

"He'll compete for regular promotions just like everyone else," he said.

Edwards' wife, Shauna, is just as delighted with the turn of events.

The first-grade teacher at Round Meadows Elementary School in the Las Virgenes Unified School District said she has supported her husband's dream every step of the way and viewed his fight as her own.

She said she is ready for the 13 weeks he will be away for training and gladly will give up her teaching career to move wherever the Air Force sends him.

"This whole thing made me realize how much I love him," she said. "When the Air Force called, it took me about three seconds to decide that I would give up my lifestyle and this job.

"It made me realize that his happiness is my own. I'm just thrilled."

Meanwhile, David Edwards can't take a break. Until his departure, he will be wrapping up his personal affairs and working out at the gym to be in tiptop shape for training.

"I have about two weeks' worth of work before I'm ready to go," he said. "I cannot relax."

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Photo (1--Conejo edition only) Five weeks ago, David Edwards was told at the last minute that his age, 35, prevents him from enlisting. Now he'll report for duty March 18. (2--Simi edition only--Color) David Edwards Wins age disqualification fight