NCO exchanges stripes for gold bars

Published May 6, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
95 Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- May 20, a technical sergeant from the 95th Medical Operations Squadron will commission as a second lieutenant and move on to accept higher responsibilities in the U.S. Air Force.

As he worked in the medical clinic one day in December 2008, a group consisting of Tech. Sgt. Jerry Thompson's squadron commander, chief, supervisor, wife, and many others gathered in the clinic to break the news of his acceptance into the Medical Service Corps commissioning program.

"I was working near the front desk when I saw a group of people coming down the hallway," he said. "I knew it was either really good or really bad; something was going on. I was working with patients when (Lt. Col. Alfred Ozanian, 95th MDOS commander) stopped me in the hallway, and said, 'Jerry, I just received a phone call (from the Air Force Personnel Center) and you've been accepted for the commissioning program.' ...I was very excited."

Sergeant Thompson is the NCOIC of the Family Practice Clinic and an emergency medical technician. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in healthcare administration. He earned his masters degree in June 2008 and applied to the MSC program shortly after.

"Being commissioned has been a goal for the past five to six years," said Sergeant Thompson. "Of course, coming straight out of high school, being active duty for 11 years, and trying to balance work and going to school was kind of a challenge. I took a class here, a class there, and then gradually got my CCAF (Community College of the Air Force degree), my bachelors, and my masters."

The MSC program provides a pathway for active duty enlisted personnel to commission into the healthcare administrative field. All applicants of the MSC program are required to have either a bachelor's or master's degree in healthcare, management, economics, finance, operations research, business administration or similar degrees. Out of the 169 who applied, 70 were selected to commission in 2009.
"I separate on May 19 and commission May 20," said Sergeant Thompson. "Before I leave Edwards, I'll walk around as a second lieutenant for a couple days."

Soon-to-be Lieutenant Thompson will go through Commissioned Officer's Training for four weeks at Maxwell AFB, Ala. Upon his return to Edwards, he, his wife and their daughter will permanently relocate to Grand Forks AFB, N.D. For six weeks, between the months of July and September, he will attend technical training school at Sheppard AFB, Texas, to gain the knowledge needed to perform as an entry level department manager in an Air Force Medical Treatment Facility.

"You can work in six different areas as an MSC: Logistics, Readiness, Systems, Resource Management, TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration, and Group Practice Manager," he explained. "One MSC works as the flight commander of each section."

His supervisor, Master Sgt. Jerome Martin, NCOIC of Primary Care Flight, described him as a well-balanced NCO who is truly among the best of the best.

"His last EPR (enlisted performance report) was so well-balanced in every aspect... education, family, spirituality, fitness," said Sergeant Martin. "He positively interacts daily with young medics, and makes sure the medical group does well during inspections. From February 2008 through February 2009 he flawlessly ran the base's Self Aid and Buddy Care program, a major program, which received an Outstanding during the Unit Compliance Inspection. He also recently ran a marathon. ... He's definitely ready to move on and take on a bigger scope of responsibilities."

Sergeant Thompson said he is very grateful for all the support he received from everyone, including his supervisor, chief, squadron and group commanders.

"The opportunity for highly qualified personnel to move from one level of responsibility to another based on merit is why we are the most dominant Air Force in the world," said Colonel Ozanian. "Sergeant Thompsons' selection as an officer is an example of an Airman that has excelled at every level of responsibility he has been given; we are lucky to have him."