TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
Eight of Tyndall’s exceptional Airmen have been selected to attend Officer Training School through Total Force Officer Training to become commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. Those selected were evaluated across the board both objectively and subjectively.
TFOT is a rigorous eight week training and education course held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The fast paced course covers a variety of subjects including leadership, The Profession of Arms, communications and warfare studies.
The team Tyndall Airmen selected for this opportunity are:
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Master Sgt. Christopher Bunt – 43rd Fighter Squadron
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Staff Sgt. Patrick Backus – 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron
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Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Crocker – 325th Contracting Squadron
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Staff Sgt. Ashley Davis – 325th CONS
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Staff Sgt. Gregory Jones – 772nd ESS
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Staff Sgt. Timothy Parker – 372nd Training Squadron
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Staff Sgt. Anthony Shea – 325th CONS
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Senior Airman William Santiago – 325th CONS
The 325th Contracting Squadron is home to half of the TFOT selects.
“What goes into the application process is everything you have ever accomplished before and during your Air Force career,” said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Crocker, 325th CONS contract specialist and selectee for OTS. “It is a process that requires a profound amount of introspection, one that I will admit taught me quite a bit about myself.”
Not all who apply are selected the first time for an opportunity of this significance. The third time was the charm for Master Sgt. Christopher Bunt, 43rd Fighter Squadron superintendent, he previously applied twice during his Air Force career.
“I have wanted to be an officer for so long and through persistence I was finally selected,” said Bunt. “When I finally found out I made it, it was a truly great moment for me and my family.”
Both Crocker and Bunt are starting over in regards to their journey through the ranks.
Transitioning from the enlisted tiers to the officer tier will provide unique opportunities for both Bunt and Crocker. They shared the belief that their experiences while enlisted will benefit their new positions by allowing them to bring a different perspective to leadership.