Commanders to have more say in developmental education opportunities

  • Published
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials recently announced changes to the nomination process for officer developmental education beginning with the results of the March 2017 Line of Air Force Major Board.

The March 2017 LAF Major’s Board results will be released publicly July 18, 2017, and will not include in-residence, developmental education selection or “select” status.

“The decision to separate school selection stemmed from inputs from the field and discussions with wing commanders about how we continue to improve joint warfighting excellence. This is about lethality. Winning in combat starts with great leadership," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein.

Effective immediately, commanders will now nominate in-residence, DE selection based on individual performance.

"Our commanders know their people best, and must identify Airmen whose consistent high performance makes them best suited for these developmental opportunities,” said Goldfein. “This also continues Secretary Wilson's and my emphasis on pushing decision authority back to commanders where it belongs."

The new DE policy impacts in-residence DE nominations beginning in 2018 for academic year 2019 and beyond.

“This change offers all eligible officers a more transparent and equitable process toward which they can attend in-residence developmental education,” said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services.

Those previously identified as “selects” from a promotion board will retain their status until completion of their respective intermediate or senior DE opportunity. At this time, the number of IDE and SDE opportunities will not change, explained Grosso.

As grandfathered school selects rotate through IDE and SDE, senior raters will be provided the ability to nominate an increasingly higher percentage of eligible officers to the IDE/SDE Central Board. Previously, senior raters were limited to no more than 20 percent of candidates for IDE and 25 percent of candidates for SDE.

“This changes the process by which we select our best based upon commanders’ assessment of officers’ sustained performance and their potential to lead in the complex global security environment we operate in,” said Goldfein.

Specific guidance on the future selection process will be sent to commanders no later than February 2018. Nominations for academic year 2019 and beyond will consider commander inputs, Air Force requirements and officers' records of performance.

For more information on Air Force development programs, visit myPers. Personnel questions should be directed to local military personnel flights or the Total Force Service Center at 1-800-525-0102 or (210) 565-0102.