AF selects emerging leader program participants Published May 16, 2012 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Six Air Force officers were selected for the 2012 National Defense University Center for the Study of Mass Destruction Program for Emerging Leaders, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. The purpose of the program is to foster a community of rising U.S. government leaders with the awareness and skills to respond to the dangers of weapons of mass destruction, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon, the AFPC officer development education superintendent. Air Force members selected to participate are Maj. Matthew Stanford, of the U.S. Air Force Academy; Capt. Matthew Butler, of Air Combat Command; Capt. Erik Carlson, of U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Capt. Amber Ortiz, of Air Education and Training Command; Capt. Robert Schoeneberg, of Air Force Global Strike Command; and Capt. Eric Thompson, of Air Force Materiel Command. They will work with representatives from other military branches and federal agencies during periodic activities over the next three years, beginning with the mandatory summer immersion June 18-22 in Washington, D.C., Dixon said. "During this unique professional development opportunity, participants will gain appreciation for the variety of threats and the full range of means, processes and organizations available to address them," she explained. Membership is limited to 25 people per year, and candidate selection is very competitive, the master sergeant said. "The program provides a forum to build an interagency network of next-generation leaders with a better understanding of the national security impact and role of weapons of mass destruction," she explained. In addition to the summer immersion, participants will attend a winter workshop in their third year as well as various classroom seminars, site visits and public speaker presentations during their second and third years. For more information about this annual developmental opportunity or personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.