Stripes to bars Published April 6, 2015 By Senior Airman Christina Norris 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The Deserving Airman Commissioning Program is a chance at a journey off of the beaten path. It recognizes enlisted Airmen that show potential for leadership opportunities through commissioning.“From the first year I enlisted in the Air Force, I always wanted to be an officer,” said Tech. Sgt. Richard Conyers, 94th Equal Employment Office interim director.However, before Conyers could fulfill his personal mission of admission into the Air Force Officer Training School, he had to attain a bachelor’s degree first. He obtained his bachelor’s of arts degree at Georgia State University, majoring in political science with a concentration in pre-law and a minor in sociology.After four years of active duty service and eight as a reservist, Conyers was accepted into the DACP, achieving the opportunity to fulfill his 12-year desire of becoming an officer.“I want to collect skills to add to my tool chest of life, making you a better person,” Conyers said.After three and a half years of being enlisted, 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Van Patten attended Officer Training School, and is now the 94th Maintenance Group maintenance officer. She didn’t always know she wanted to be an officer, but she found a passion she wanted to undertake.“I saw Airmen struggling, and I wanted to be able to help,” said Van Patten.To accomplish this feat, she had to prepare and plan.“Study for the Air Force Officer Qualification Test, master your current field and get involved with things around the base and in the community,” advised Van Patten.Van Patten also gave advice on how to make the OTS experience go a little smoother.“Be on your P’s and Q’s when it comes to customs and courtesies,” said Van Patten. “You can practice it. Or, the whole time you’re at OTS, the military training instructors will yell it into you.”For Conyers, his OTS experience will be about growth and testing himself in the midst.“I enjoyed basic training,” Conyers said. “It’s my chance to do it again. I love a good challenge.”Van Patten divulged that OTS is difficult, but the outcome will be worth the sacrifice.“In the first couple of weeks of Officer Training School, it’s like boot camp,” said Van Patten. “But everything starts to transition from being a follower to becoming a leader.”The lessons learned in OTS outweigh the hurdles, and the goal is soon within reach.“You get out of it, what you put in,” Van Patten said. “I learned how to discipline, monitor, coach and council. You learn how to prioritize. That was a valuable lesson.”Becoming an officer through the commissioning program may be a demanding task for some. Not only does there need to be a vacancy, but there is paperwork to do and eligibility requirements to meet. But, being able to say you made even just one of your dreams come true is not something we can all admit to.“I knew I was a follower, but I wanted to be a leader,” Van Patten said. “I wanted to champion the airman.”.
