WC Missouri News

Team Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri is making strides in developing future leaders within the United States Air Force. Through various commissioning programs, enlisted service members are being given the opportunity to advance their careers and contribute to the growth of the military.

Tech. Sgt. Steven Stuer, 509th Commander’s Support Staff special actions manager, shared his experience with the Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program (SLECP), stating, “This was my third application to get selected. Only 26 people were selected this past year, and finding out I was one of them was quite the shock.” Stuer's hard work paid off as he was not only chosen for commissioning through SLECP but also selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training, an opportunity that is highly coveted.

Joining Stuer in this achievement is Tech. Sgt. Tyler Goheens, 393rd Bomb Squadron intelligence non-commissioned officer in charge, who expressed his excitement for the opportunity, saying, “This is a truly awesome opportunity, and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to further my education in this way.” Goheens applied for SLECP Alpha, allowing him to pursue his degree while still receiving active duty benefits.

Master Sgt. Joshua Tutolo, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist section chief, emphasized the importance of support from the chain of command in the commissioning process, stating, “One of the biggest things you’ll need is a letter of recommendation from your chain of command.” Tutolo was selected for commissioning through the Air Force OTS board, along with Master Sgt. David Bunn, who applied to the Space Force OTS board, highlighting the diverse opportunities available to enlisted members.

Col. Kieth Butler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, acknowledged the value that prior enlisted members bring to the officer corps, stating, “Prior enlisted members who earn their commission have a unique insight and perspective on how decisions impact our enlisted force.” Their experiences and perspectives enhance the overall strength of the Air Force.

Team Whiteman exemplifies a commitment to developing future leaders through various commissioning paths, ensuring that enlisted members have the opportunity to contribute their unique experiences and skills to the Air Force officer corps.