WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- An enlisted to officer commissioning board chose four candidates to fill officer vacancies from the enlisted ranks of the 442d Fighter Wing August 3, 2024.
The board convened according to new business rules written after a Continuous Improvement and Innovation event held in 2023 that aimed to make the commissioning process more transparent and streamlined.
Under the new system, instead of convening a board when an officer vacancy arises, a commissioning board is scheduled for every August. Members who are interested in appearing before the board can request a mentor as soon as the year’s vacancies are announced in January. The mentor, typically either a senior enlisted member or an prior-enlisted officer who met the board to gain their commission, is there to walk the applicant through process and help ensure they know what the next steps are.
This year’s board sought to fill two vacancies in the 442d Maintenance Group, one in the 442d Security Forces Squadron, and one in the Force Support Squadron.
This year’s selectees are
Master Sgt. Cecil Brushwood, 442d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Steven McElyea, 442 FW Talent Management Consultant
Tech. Sgt. Jason McGee, 442 AMXS
Senior Airman Michelle Perez, 442 AMXS