Airmen looking for opportunities to enter the commissioned officer ranks can apply for the 2006 Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development, or LEAD, program until Jan. 31.

LEAD is a program that allows commanders to nominate highly qualified Airmen for direct entry to the Air Force Academy or Preparatory School, with the intention of an Air Force Academy appointment to follow.

Every year, appointments at the academy and the prep school are set aside specifically for Airmen. Currently, there are 85 vacancies at the Air Force Academy and 50 vacancies at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School for Airmen who meet admission criteria for the 2006/2007 school year.

To be eligible, Airmen must be under the age of 22 as of July 1 of the year they enter the prep school, or under the age of 23 to apply for direct entry to the academy. Both options are limited to those with less than six years of service. Deadline for completing Air Force Form 1786, Application for Appointment to USAFA for Enlisted Members, is Jan. 31.

Commanders are encouraged to educate their qualified Airmen of this opportunity.

"The maturity and military experience of prior enlisted cadets make them ideal role models -- both during their time as cadets and as commissioned officers," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, in a recent message to senior Air Force commanders.

More information about LEAD is available at base education offices.

(Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)