Air Force taking applications for overseas study Published Sept. 28, 2005 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force is offering the opportunity for graduate study overseas for two years to at least 10 to 12 line officers through the Olmsted Scholar Program. Those selected will begin study in the 2006-2007 school year.The Olmsted selection board is scheduled to convene in December and will nominate 15 candidates to the scholar foundation board. Final selection will occur at the board of directors' forum in March.The program is intended to allow participants to gain an in-depth understanding of a foreign language and culture so they will be knowledgeable and sensitive to the viewpoints and concerns of people around the world as they progress within their Air Force career. Program applicants do not have to be familiar with the country's language to be eligible to apply or to compete for study in that country.The Olmsted Scholar Program was established in 1943 by Gen. George Olmsted. He was sent to China where he organized a network of factories and supply routes in caves along China’s rivers.It was during his time in China, where it was necessary for him to interact with both Chinese and Japanese officials, that he was convinced that American military leaders suffered from a lack of exposure and sensitivity to foreign cultures. It was this belief, together with a lifelong dedication to the security of the nation, that led him to establish the Olmsted Scholar Program.The program involves cultural immersion by an officer and their family, if applicable, as well as study at a university in the native language. Officials are selecting officers with demonstrated leadership and scholastic abilities.Applicants must be an active-duty line officer with between three and 11 years of commissioned service, and no more than 11 years' total service as of April 1, 2006.Officers must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for their undergraduate degree. They must have achieved at least a 550 on each portion (verbal and quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination. Finally, they must have scored at least a 110 on the defense language aptitude battery test.Up to a year of language training will be provided prior to, or in conjunction with, overseas assignment. Every effort is made by the services and the faculty at the Defense Language Institute to allow a scholar's spouse to take language training on a space-available basis.Applicants selected as Air Force nominees to the Olmsted board should have their spouses take the defense language aptitude battery and defense language proficiency test if their spouses are proficient in a foreign language.Applications must arrive here by Nov. 18. Applicants should send completed applications to the following address: HQ AFPC/DPAFE; 550 C Street West; Suite 36; Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4734.