From enlisted to officer

by Airman Connor J. Marth
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/19/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --
A smile came across his face as the memory of seeing his name on the board replayed in his mind. Many obstacles had stood in his way, but despite his shortcomings he finally has the chance to become one of the Air Force's commissioned leaders.

Staff Sgt. Tony Wagner, 366th Security Forces Squadron emergency control center controller, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Shrader, 366th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, are among the few Airmen with a shot at graduating Officer Training School and commissioning in the world's greatest Air Force.

[Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Shrader is currently forward deployed. A separate article featuring him will follow in the coming weeks.]

"I took a good look at myself and knew that I want to be a leader," said Wagner. "So I thought why not cross over to 'the dark side' as they say."

The road to becoming an officer is far from easy. Wagner said he faced many challenges in order to see his name on the non-rated OTS selection board.

"As a child, my father would make me learn about everything," said Wagner, an Angola, Ind. Native. "All of the skill sets he gave me have contributed to my leadership qualities today."

Wagner continued to develop his leadership skills throughout his early years and into
college. His degree got away from him the first time around so he decided he needed to make a life change.

"I was an insurance agent during the recession before I joined," said Wagner. "Nobody wanted to listen to a 22-year-old talk about life insurance policies. I was out of place and needed to be somewhere I belonged - the Air Force."

After spending his early Air Force career in Security Forces, Wagner explained when he was forward deployed, Impending danger lingered on his mind and the long hours of battling gritty breezes and freezing nights allowed him to question his role in the U.S. Air Force. It was those moments he realized he was never meant for the admirable work of a triggerman in Iraq. He needed to be a leader, he needed to commission.

Wagner paid a visit to the education office, where he found all of the information he needed to start his career as an officer.  The first hurdle was the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.

The AFOQT is very similar to tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Scores from the test measure various intellectual aptitudes and assist in weeding through the applicants.

"He's one of those people who's so smart it's sick," laughed Tech. Sgt. Esther Werstler, 366th SFS first sergeant. "It's no surprise he did well on his qualifying test."
However, Wagner insisted grades aren't everything when it comes to the selection process.

"Good scores and a degree are definitely a must, but there are more factors than just education when it comes to a great package," explained Wagner. "Your leadership isn't going to submit you if they don't see the areas you've become a devout leader in. The best way to describe it is like an [Enlisted Performance Report] on steroids."

Wagner's leadership was impressed with his work. He managed to finish his degree while leading several portions of his office and outside organizations.  With a letter of recommendation from his command and thumbs-up from the unit commander, he was well on his way to submitting an excellent package.

"And that's when things came to a bit of a halt," said Wagner. "I was part of the first non-rated board to go fully electronic. I had my package ready to go when the boards were shut down. So 180-days came around and everything in my package became obsolete."

Nevertheless, the setback only fueled his fire and one year later he resubmitted.

"It was so disheartening to see him get shot down that first time, but I think that's what made this time around so much sweeter," said Werstler. "He finally has a chance at what he deserves."

On November 25, 2014, relief poured over 161 men and women when their names were posted on the OTS non-rated selection board 14 OT 04. Wagner was on that list.

"In the end, everyone who puts in probably deserves to be there," said Wagner. "You're competing against the best of the best and only those who really work toward getting it will come out on top."

There is no denying the road to becoming an officer is littered with hardships, but for the Airmen afforded the opportunity, OTS is a surreal and exciting chance to become a leader.