AF selects three captains for prestigious PhD program

  • Published
  • By Debbie Gildea
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Three Air Force captains have been selected for the 2015 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains Prestigious PhD Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov. 19.

Selectees include Capts. Matthew R. Hammerle, with the Air Mobility Command; Matthew C. Slack, with the Air Force Special Operations Command, and Chad A. Reger, a member of Air Combat Command.

"The panel assessed applicants based on job performance and academic experience, and some truly outstanding officers applied," said Staff Sgt. David Cannon, a member of the AFPC’s developmental education section. “It was a very competitive group and selection was far from simple.”

The purpose of the program is to develop a cadre of strategic thinkers who can be mentored and guided, Cannon said.

"Providing opportunities for intellectual development, coupled with other leadership programs, helps the Air Force prepare young officers to be strong joint leaders, able to communicate at a strategic level with civilian leaders across enterprises," Cannon said.

Officers selected for the program may pursue studies in history, political science, international relations, economics, philosophy, international business relations, international security studies, or political systems and theories.

For more information about the annual program and other personnel issues, go to myPers. Select "Search All Components" from the drop down menu and enter "CSAF Captains Prestigious PhD Program" in the search window.