After the recent board I decided to add some fresh content to the Examples section of my site. Here is Malcolm’s App Profile. He is a prior-enlisted SSgt that applied as a civilian. NOTE: I use fictional names for these.
- Civilian CSO select
- 19OT03 board
Here is some expanding information he provided to provide some context.
- Prior enlisted SSgt, 4A071
- Bachelor’s 3.19 GPA
- Master’s 4.00 GPA
- Master’s 3.55 GPA
- AFOQT Form T Version 1 taken April 2019. P38 N41 AA38 V50 Q29
- No PCSM, not required for CSO/ABM
- Applied CSO, ABM, Personnel, Intel, Needs of the AF
Expanding the Narrative
I’m going to do these 2019 examples a little bit differently. For my Application Reviews I focus my feedback from the board-member perspective on turning the negative perceptions in the application into positive perceptions, but the only ones who benefit from this feedback are the individual applicants. In this section since all of these examples are from “selects”, I will walk you through what is going through my mind when I do these reviews. Hopefully as I articulate my thoughts you will begin to understand the process my mind goes through as you draft your own application.
- 4.00 GPA with a master’s degree, great job
- Organizational Management & Project Management leads me to believe the applicant has the educational foundation to be a good leader
- Prior enlisted Air Force: This applicant should have a solid foundation in leadership and our lingo
Career Achievements
- 6 years as a SSgt: Tactical-level leadership experience
- Awards & Recognition: The member received individual MAJCOM recognition and was part of team accomplishments. The accomplishments were group-level or related to management of a program. This is likely a reflection of the member’s leadership.
- Courses: Consistent attendance in several courses which improved him both personally and professionally
- Passion: It appears the member stayed in the same or similar industry after he separated from the Air Force. This shows he likes what he does and he found his place.
Personal Achievements
- Education: The member is passionate about formal education and has achieved the master’s level
- Core Values: Dean’s list tells me he cares about his education. This likely is evidence that he has integrity in his studies, he knows how to put his education first over other personal priorities, and can achieve excellence when he puts his mind to it.
- Passion/Community Involvement: His passion for his job has bled into his personal life as well through volunteering
- Character: The member has well rounded hobbies and values relationships
Work Experience
- Experience: Leading a team of 23 members shows me that he applied his prior-enlisted leadership experience and education to successfully lead civilians in the workplace
- Experience: Managing budgets and hiring & terminations is valuable experience
- Character: Transition out of Air Force and consistent employment after leaving demonstrates responsibility
- Experience: He was good at his military job and also did additional duties
- Experience: Prior experience in the food services and retail industries builds character
- No non-select officer program application attempts or law violations
- Listed enlistment services is consistent with work experience listed above
- AFSC choices demonstrate a passion for “mission” through CSO, ABM and Intel, and for taking care of “people” through Personnel
Personal Statement
- The PS starts concisely
- The member reinforces my assumption that he is passionate about formal education and his chosen professional industry (medical)
- Listing GPA and level of education reinforces my perception that he is a good student
- The member reinforces my perception of his leadership experience and answers the pre-verbalized question that I had of why he wishes to re-join the Air Force
- The member articulates my assumption that his past military and pre and post-civilian experience would be a benefit to our officer corps
- The member successfully summarizes an answer to the question of ‘why the Air Force needs his talent’
Leave a Reply