Leadership development program nominations due March 16 Published Feb. 24, 2015 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Nomination packages for majors and major-selects interested in the Defense Department 2015-2016 Executive Leadership Development Program are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by March 16, officials announced.The program, designed specifically for highly motivated officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to public service and integrity, and who have an interest in moving into senior management positions, provides a new approach to training civilian employees by including military participants and interagency partners that parallel certain aspects of selected military training.Candidates must be receptive to a unique training methodology, able to assume responsibility for their own learning, and be able to conceptualize and analyze problems effectively.Service members remain in their current assignments throughout the program, with the exception of 75 days that are spent in training, briefings and trips to learning environments.Participation is not associated with a permanent change of station, those selected will not incur an additional active-duty service commitment.Nominees must be majors or major-selects, have completed Squadron Officer School and intermediate developmental education (in residence or by correspondence), and must have successfully commanded a flight or higher level organization.Participants' home units are responsible for travel and per diem costs, so applications must include a recommendation statement from the first colonel with a valid senior rater identifier or equivalent in their chain of command acknowledging awareness of that fact.The Air Force selection board will convene in April to identify three primary and three alternate Air Force nominees, who will represent the Air Force at the DOD selection board. Selectees will participate in the program orientation in August, and the first training event in October.For more information about Air Force personnel programs visit the myPers website.