JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials have selected 302 officers as the 2017 combat air forces squadron commander candidates.
Designees are the result of the CAF squadron command selection board held at the Air Force Personnel Center Sept. 13. Candidates are eligible for any worldwide command opening to include 365-day extended deployment command opportunities.
Wing and group hiring officials will use the candidate list to fill projected 2017 CAF squadron commander vacancies. Members appearing on this listing may also be considered for other command opportunities outside of the CAF.
“Not all officers on the candidate lists will get command assignments,” said Maj. Clint Carlisle, the AFPC assignments officer. “The development teams typically select more qualified officers than there are projected vacancies to account for any unexpected events during the year.”
The development teams reviewed all aspects of the candidates’ records, duty histories, demonstrated leadership ability, professional development and permanent change of station eligibility to identify the most qualified for command.
“The selection process is highly competitive,” Carlisle said. “These candidates have demonstrated the leadership traits crucial for leading Airmen, setting goals and envisioning the future.”
Furthermore, for the first time, the CAF candidate list includes an additional 68 CAF members previously selected by Air Education and Training Command who also appeared on the recent HAWK squadron commander candidate list.
Capt. Ana Ruiz, the CAF DT advisor at Air Combat Command, said this effort is groundbreaking.
“CAF wing commanders will no longer have to search through two separate listings to seek out new squadron commanders,” he said.
Ruiz recently took over as advisor to the ACC/A3 for all rated officer developmental matters.
Candidates will remain on the list if not selected for command until the list is superseded by the following year’s results, unless they are removed for one of a variety of reasons such as selection for another assignment opportunity.
The candidate list is posted to myPers. To view the list, select “Active Duty Officer” from the dropdown menu and search “CAF Squadron.”
For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to myPers. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions.