OSS Airman selected for USAFA Prep School

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Divine Cox
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Senior Airman Jonathan McGregor, 62nd Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, was selected to become an officer as part of the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program and notified by Congressman Denny Heck, Representative for the Washington's 10th Congressional District, April 1.

LEAD is a program that was initiated in 1995 to encourage commanders to send their best and brightest to the United States Air Force Academy to earn a commission, after candidates are offered a year at the AFA Prep School to prepare for the Academy.

The Air Force Academy Prep School is a 10-month educational program for young Airmen to take core curriculum courses at the USAFA Preparatory School prior to coming to the Air Force Academy. Upon successful completion of the Prep School those being appointed to the AF Academy will be sworn in as cadets.

"I first heard about the Air Force Academy when I was a senior in high school," said McGregor. "But at that time, it was far too late for me to submit an application. I knew that it was one of my long term goals and something I wanted to do."

The Air Force Academy selects Airmen who have good test scores and who have been recognized as a leader of character all the way up to the squadron level of command. Attending the Prep School gives them a chance to get used to the differences between the operational Air Force and realize what will be expected at the Academy.

"Education has always been very important to me," said McGregor. "Both of my parents are educators and I attended two years of college before making the decision to go active duty and have the Air Force pay for my college full time once I was done training for my job."

Senior Airman McGregor said that he is interested in the medical field and is thinking about pursing a Major in biology.

"Being a Biology Major is my plan right now," said McGregor. "I have unto my junior year to decide what I want to do, but that is my goal right now."

At the end of May, McGregor will have the opportunity to go and visit the Air Force Academy for the first time and talk with current cadets and personally witness the many opportunities and challenges the Academy has to offer.

"I know he is going to go there and do great things for our Air Force," said Lt. Col. Jaron Roux, 62nd OSS commander. "Every time I get a chance to talk with him, he just impresses me more and more, so I know he is going to do well at the academy."

"I am very relieved that the selection process is over and I got accepted," said McGregor. "When I found out, I was very excited, appreciative and thankful that how ultimately something that I really wanted to do came true. I had a lot of help from a lot of different people along the way and I didn't want to disappoint them. I want to just make everyone proud. I want to make my family proud."