David Grant USAF Medical Center Airmen selected, commission

  • Published
  • By James Spellman, Jr.
  • 60th Medical Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE --  When Tech. Sgt. Sarah Harris and Senior Airman Almaz Mayers were told Col. Nancy Opheim, their squadron commander, was in the Labor and Delivery unit at David Grant USAF Medical Center to give the section a briefing, neither had any idea of the surprise that awaited them.

"Everyone was very excited. Our coworkers tricked us, so when she broke the news, I was caught off guard and couldn't believe what I was hearing," Mayers said. "They got us good."

Harris and Mayers, both from the 60th Inpatient Squadron have been selected for the 2012 Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced. The NECP selection board meets annually in May to review records and identify the top applicants for a commissioning opportunity in a critical career field.

This year 49 Airmen were selected - double last year's selectees. Airmen selected will complete their bachelor's degrees at a college or university with an Air Force ROTC detachment, or a college or university with a cross town agreement.

"I knew I wanted to become a nurse before a joined the Air Force, which is why I chose to come in as a medical technician," Mayers said. "I did a lot of research before I joined and when I found out about the NECP program, I thought it was perfect for me."

"My husband, three children, and parents are my consistent motivators in life," Harris said. "Having completed my Associate Degree in Nursing while working full-time active duty, the NECP is an awesome opportunity to achieve my Bachelor's degree."

One benefit of NECP is that attending school is the Airman's job. Students focus entirely on education, rather than working full time and going to school part time. When Mayers started college, her intention was to major in nursing, "but the waiting list was so long for the programs in New York that I almost had all of my coursework done before joining the military." Starting in August, Mayers will spend the next two years attending nursing school at the University of Southern Mississippi before testing for the Nursing National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse status and commissioning as a second lieutenant.

"I am not too sure where I would like to be stationed as of yet, but where ever I end up I plan to make the best of it and gain my experience as a new nurse," Mayers said. "My ultimate goal is to gain some experience as an ICU nurse so that I can one day attend anesthesia school and become a certified registered nurse anesthetist."

For Harris, she recently passed the NCLEX-RN and received her official results and license July 31. Her next step after commissioning is to start work on her nine-month RN to Bachelor in Science Nursing program in September at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif. which is one of DGMC's many educational partners. "I see myself working as a Labor and Delivery nurse for a couple years, and then I will apply to the Neo-natal ICU program," Harris said.

Both Harris and Mayers credit their supervisors as phenomenal mentors who were instrumental in their success. Harris and Mayers also believe the NECP program is a great avenue for those Airmen who would like to become nurses while continuing their career in the Air Force.

"I was very lucky to get selected on my first attempt, and if it doesn't work out the first time for those Airmen intending on applying, don't give up," Mayers said. "Education is our future and it requires hard work and commitment in order to accomplish our goals in life. The NECP program is just the beginning for me and I'm going to keep on pushing until all my goals and dreams in life are accomplished."

"Life will always have roadblocks," Harris added. "But with motivation and perseverance you can achieve any goal."