AFRL Munitions Directorate Airman selected for AFIT graduate program

  • Published
  • By Rex Swenson
  • AFRL Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Master Sgt. Wesley Schuler is one of six Airmen recently selected to continue his education through the Enlisted to Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Graduate Degree Program.

Sergeant Schuler, an Oklahoma native, is assigned to the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate where he is the NCOIC of the Energetic Materials Branch.

Asked how he felt when first notified of his selection, Sergeant Schuler replied, "Elated would best describe the emotion mixed with a sense of terror and a hint of inner turmoil. We (he and his family) had been waiting and waiting for the official announcement and orders for the move. When we received the notification, we only had two weeks to prepare and move to Ohio. We just arrived last night and things are going well."

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, and grants master's and doctoral degrees at its two resident graduate schools and supervises students enrolled in its civilian institutions program.

The other five Airmen who were selected and the degree programs they will study are:

-- Tech. Sgt. William Bai, Cyber Operations

-- Tech. Sgt. Seth Flinchbaugh, Economic Crime (AFIT Civilian Institution Program)

-- Tech. Sgt. David Flosi, Logistics Management

-- Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hale, Information Resource Management

-- Master Sgt. Brian Tobin, Logistics Management

"My congratulations go out to these fine Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "We had a number of great applicants, but these individuals demonstrated the necessary dedication and commitment. This program gives our leaders a diverse and talented pool of top-notch NCOs our expeditionary Air Force needs."

Sergeant Schuler, who has a dual major in Computer Science and Management from Park University in Parkville, Mo., explained that his area of study will be
'Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction.'

"During the application process, I had to choose a variety of programs that were of interest to me. The nomination committee then selected what they felt was in the best interests of both the candidates and the Air Force. The primary mission area for my career field is in the area of nuclear treaty monitoring so the chosen program will dovetail nicely with what my career field does in the Air Force," said Sergeant Schuler. 

When asked why he applied in the first place the sergeant said that, "going to school and working a full-time job is challenging to say the least. The opportunity to pursue my master's degree in a full-time academic setting while still earning a pay check was too much to pass up. Also, the level of education received at AFIT is of the highest caliber and sought out by members from all branches of the armed services, civilian population and those in academia as well."

An enlisted person with a master's degree usually finds that it leads to increased responsibility in the Air Force. Schuler hopes this degree will help in his climb to Chief Master Sergeant.

"I can only hope that will be the case. It has been a dream of mine to one day accomplish holding the highest rank in the enlisted corps and I have always jumped at any opportunity to further that goal," he explained with a smile.

As to returning to Eglin after graduation Sergeant Schuler said, "We will be at the mercy of the assignment system, which always goes with the needs of the Air Force, but there is a growing need for people with knowledge of weapons of mass destruction, so this degree program could be applied at a growing number of places around the world."

Education advice the newly promoted Master Sergeant offers to young Airmen just getting started is to, "Take full advantage of every opportunity! One of my former troops was able to attain his Bachelor's in Management and his MBA all during a 6-year enlistment. So, there is no limit to what someone can do if they just get out there and make it happen."

Individuals interested in applying for the 18-month program must be at least a technical sergeant with a minimum of eight years time in service, 24 months time on station and have three years retainability upon graduation. Moreover, prospective applicants need to complete the appropriate skill-level upgrade and resident professional military education schooling for their rank, officials said.

Applicants must also have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition to the academic transcripts, applicants must provide test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Admission Test, depending upon the specific AFIT degree-program requirements.

The Enlisted-to-AFIT Selection Board for the 2009 academic year convenes in February. Nomination packages must be received by the Developmental Education Office at the Air Force Personnel Center's Directorate of Assignments no later than Jan. 16. Nominations from all career fields will be considered. In March, AFPC will announce the Enlisted-to-AFIT selects and alternates for academic year 2009.

"Advanced education is a critical element in improving our combat capability and in keeping our warfighting prowess sharp," Chief McKinley said. "We must continue to develop our future leaders to keep us out in front as the most technologically superior Air Force in the world."

For more information on the Enlisted-to-AFIT program, speak to your supervisor for eligibility requirements, visit http://www.afit.edu/ , or call the Air Force Contact Center for details at (800) 616-3775.