HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Four enlisted Airmen here were recently selected to attend Officer Training School.
Tech. Sgts. Rose O’Houlahan and Kayla Salita will commission as second lieutenants in the Air Force, and Tech. Sgts. Jeffrey Alvarez and Russell Ferguson will commission as second lieutenants in the Space Force upon completion of OTS.
“We are proud of these four Airmen and congratulate them on their selection to OTS,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Anderson, installation command chief. “Their time in the enlisted ranks gives them a unique perspective and valuable insight into their new roles as officers. Their selection is a testament to their hard work and their unwavering commitment to the Air Force mission.”
O’Houlahan, 66th Force Support Squadron career development section chief, set her sights on a commission from day one.
“I've wanted to become an officer since I first enlisted in the Air Force,” she said. “To prepare myself, I've sought out challenging opportunities that pushed me outside my comfort zone.”
She credits those experiences with building confidence, improving her decision-making skills and demonstrating her readiness to take on responsibilities as an officer.
O’Houlahan believes her enlisted experience will give her the insight to make informed decisions, communicate effectively and lead her Airmen with empathy and credibility.
O’Houlahan will commission as a contracting officer upon completion of OTS.
Salita, executive operations noncommissioned officer in charge for the Cyber and Networks Directorate, believes her experience operating in a variety of assignments and environments forced her to learn to adapt, think quickly and make sound decisions under pressure.
“My decision to apply for OTS was rooted in my drive to elevate the support I provide to my team,” she said. “It is a competitive process. I didn’t just hope for a slot; I actively worked to earn it by seeking out diverse assignments and leadership roles.”
Salita said she has firsthand knowledge of the daily challenges and operational needs of enlisted troops, and she strives to be a leader who will clear roadblocks and advocate for her Airmen’s success.
She will commission as a force support officer upon completion of OTS.
Alvarez, 66th Security Forces Squadron standardizations and evaluations section NCOIC, said his commission was important to him for personal, as well as professional, reasons.
“I want to show my son and daughter what hard work looks like, not just tell them,” he said. “If you are willing to put in the work and stay dedicated, you can achieve absolutely anything that you set your mind to. It doesn’t matter where you start out.”
Alvarez plans to draw on his enlisted experience to strengthen understanding and collaboration between officer and enlisted Airmen.
“I’ve been in their shoes and know the day-to-day grind,” he said. “I want to build trust and connection with my troops from a level that can only be reached when you've done the work yourself.”
As a Space Force officer candidate, Alvarez’s career field will be determined at the end of his accession training. He hopes to be an acquisitions officer.
Ferguson, 66 SFS operations flight chief, was inspired to apply for OTS while deployed.
Initially, he attempted to commission into a rated career field.
“I wasn’t selected the first time,” said Ferguson. “By my second application, my goals changed and I gained experience and knowledge leading larger teams at a strategic level. On my second attempt, I applied for a non-rated career field. I also took a full course load of college classes to expedite completing my degree.”
Ferguson said his experience in the enlisted ranks will be valuable because he understands the mission from the tactical level and the day-to-day experience as an enlisted Airman.
He believes his background of “having done the job” will help with his decision making as an officer.
Ferguson’s career field will also be determined at the conclusion of his accession training.
Officer Training School is an eight-week program designed to prepare non- and prior-service Airmen for leadership roles as officers. The program focuses on military skills, leadership development and Air Force culture.