Building a Weapons Officer

摘要

The Air Force expects new Weapons School graduates to be tactical experts for their commanders and top instructors at their units. Getting to that point is not easy. The process begins with selection. Candidates must be instructors, volunteer for the course, and be selected by their wing leadership and a larger selection board. They are typically first lieutenants or captains with five to 10 years of experience. This demographic means the "9/11 generation" is now working through the school. Only five percent of qualified candidates are selected, and roughly 80 new "patch wearers" graduate every six months from the thousands of pilots, rated aircrew, and space and intelligence officers the Air Force produces every year. Even with the rigorous selection standards, 10 percent of the students wash out before completing the course. There is a definite grooming process. Capt. Megan Luka, a 2008 graduate, noted that her previous wing and squadron commanders, and her director of operations, were all Weapons School grads.They helped steer her toward the course.