DARPA nomination packages due March 16 Published Feb. 24, 2015 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Commander-endorsed nomination packages for officers interested in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) fiscal year 2016 Service Chiefs Fellows Program are due to the Air Force Personnel Center March 16, officials announced.Nominees must be active duty major-selects, majors, lieutenant colonel-selects or lieutenant colonels who have a minimum secret security clearance and who are considered highly competitive for promotion to the next grade. They must also be highly-motivated, have demonstrated outstanding leadership in operational positions, and have clear potential to move into senior operational leadership positions.The program exposes participants to a unique organization whose mission is to rapidly develop imaginative, innovative and often high-risk research ideas.Program participants provide input into technology development efforts during the program, and continue to serve as liaisons between DARPA and their branch of service after completion. DARPA funds all temporary duty travel, lodging, and per diem during the program.For more information about Air Force personnel programs visit the myPers website.