Air Force Personnel Center news service (Aug. 2, 2005): Air Force Intern Program develops future leaders.

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force Intern Program Central Selection Board will convene at the Air Force Personnel Center here following the fall 2005 Developmental Team Review Process.

The board will choose 30 junior and mid-level captains to study the application of air and space power and observe senior Defense Department leaders in critical decision-making processes.

The fast-paced 12- to 24-month program is designed to develop tomorrow's leaders. While the program is available to line and nonline officers, a maximum of three slots are available to nonline officers.

"[It] is another great opportunity for young officers to continue their development," said Maj. Bill Schlichtig, chief of AFPC's officer developmental education branch here. "It's a method of preparing our very best officers for future key leadership positions."

The program combines hands-on experience as an intern in the offices of the secretary of defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and/or the Air Staff as well as an opportunity to earn an Air Force-funded master's degree in organizational leadership from the George Washington University.

"Selection for [the program] is based on potential for greater achievement as demonstrated by an officer's ability to handle more challenging jobs," Major Schlichtig said. "We want senior raters to nominate their absolutely best officers to meet the fall development teams for possible selection."

The program consists of two phases for interns not enrolled in GWU and three phases for those who are.

Officers incur a three-year active-duty service commitment upon completion of the program. Those who have not attended Squadron Office School in-residence will be allotted quotas to attend before starting the program.

For application instructions and more information, visit the officer professional developmental Web site online at <http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/fdso/afip.htm>.