First missileer Pathfinder reflects on experience

by Capt. Christopher Mesnard
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

1/22/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Career development comes in many shapes and forms in the military, and for Capt. Jacob Lusson, Air Force Global Strike Command Manpower and Personnel, the Striker Pathfinder program has opened up an opportunity for him to learn in a fast-paced environment at the major command level.

Lusson, a Phoenix native, first entered the internship-style program a year and a half ago, and has since filled two different staff positions in addition to attending advanced educational training at a number of locations, including Sandia Labs at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

"Getting this experience in the MAJCOM now has been hugely beneficial so far," said Lusson.  "There's quite a bit of extra responsibility than what I'd normally have as a captain right now, also the extra [training] opportunities we get as Pathfinders are invaluable."

The program was developed to provide AFGSC captains a three-year internship opportunity on the MAJCOM staff, rotating participants through various directorates. The knowledge and network connections gained will ideally help participants once they return to their respective wings.

The program isn't necessarily a precursor for a command position upon return to the wing, but the ability to perform at the command level and integrate that skill with the leadership requirements at the wing, has the potential to pay dividends to every Global Strike base and their Airmen.

"I was placed in the ICBM Operations Division for my first rotation on the MAJCOM staff," said Lusson, an Arizona State University alumnus. "Starting off in operations, where I have the most experience, made learning the staff piece a little easier and provided a good transition."

According to the program manager, Maj. Dustin Harmon, AFGSC Field Activities Branch chief, the experience at the MAJCOM will benefit the individuals selected, but the greater goal is to develop leaders who know how to talk at both the base and staff levels.

"We wanted to take young officers, primarily captains, and bring them to the MAJCOM to grow and let them get a better idea of how [it] works," said Harmon. "We wanted to get them out of the day-to-day ops and get them that big picture to develop them as leaders for the future."

Applicants are competitively selected and the program is open to AFGSC bomber pilots and combat systems operators and missileers. Air Reserve Component members have a similarly competitive ARC Pathfinder program consisting of Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard bomber pilots and combat systems operators.

Lusson is the first missileer selected to the Pathfinder program, and in the future Harmon expects the application process to open up to include security forces and eventually future enlisted leaders.