MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) -- Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base is a challenging, 8.5-week program designed to transform college graduates and prior enlisted Airmen into the Department of the Air Force's newest commissioned officers. For some trainees, the experience is proving to be much more than just a rigid, intense military initiation; it's a deliberate laboratory for building leaders of character.
Currently navigating the program is 20-year-old Viva Kreis, who represents Team USA in team handball and an Arizona State alumna. Kreis brings a unique, high-octane background that she says fuels her progression through OTS: she is a member of the Air Force World Class Athlete Program and is training for the 2028 LA Olympics.
Many enter OTS expecting relentless discipline and constant stress, but the reality, according to Kreis, is more nuanced. "My expectation was that OTS would feel very rigid and intense all of the time," she said. Kreis is no stranger to intensity: she was awarded the Heisman High School Scholarship award, recognized on ESPN, and is the first WCAP athlete to commission through OTS.
"What I didn’t expect was how much the program focuses on developing you as a leader, not just by demanding a lot of you, but by giving you space to learn, reflect and improve, while relying on your fellow OTs."
This focus aligns with the modern OTS curriculum, which is structured into a modular program to develop "warrior-minded leaders of character" grounded in core competencies like leadership, communication, and mission execution. Kreis notes that the curriculum is "intentional ... It’s not just drill and academics, it's learning how to communicate, solve problems under pressure and build trust within a team."
The distinction of being selected for the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program is a major accomplishment, signifying not only world-class athletic potential but also a commitment to representing the military on an international stage.
The WCAP gives elite Air Force athletes the chance to train full-time for major international competitions, including the Olympics, while simultaneously serving their country. The program is, in Kreis’s words, "a huge commitment on both sides," investing in athletes who will be ambassadors for military values.
In Kreis’s opinion, her athletic career is the perfect training ground for Officership.
"Playing handball at a high level teaches you how to remain calm in stressful moments, stay disciplined and communicate clearly," she explains. Handball's demand for "quick thinking and constant situational awareness" and the "mental toughness from training and competing internationally" have directly helped her adapt to the demands of officer training.
She also credits her background for fostering a critical skill for any officer: teamwork.
"Working with teammates from different backgrounds, adapting to new environments, and finding ways to connect has helped me be more flexible, patient and team-oriented here at OTS."
Looking toward her graduation and commission as a second lieutenant, Kreis has a clear perspective on her goals that extends beyond the rank.
"I hope to graduate with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to serve in the Air Force and to serve our country," she says, emphasizing a desire to be an officer "who elevates the people around me."
She plans to take the resilience and team-first mentality from the handball court, a sport she loves for being "fast, physical and incredibly strategic" and apply it to her Air Force career. Beyond competing professionally in France in preparation for the 2028 Olympics, she also seeks to inspire others through her book, She Did That!? Amazing Female Athletes from A to Z, with the hope that her story can "encourage others, shine a light on handball, or show what’s possible through the World Class Athlete Program and the U.S. Air Force."
The journey through OTS is one of intense personal and professional growth.
“I’m extremely proud of the growth each of these trainees demonstrated from when they first began in October.” said Col. Ryan Wilson, deputy commander for Air Force Officer Training School.
“Kreis clearly demonstrates the ability to model the way, especially regarding her performance within the physical domain.” Wilson continues.
Kreis earned top of her class for the Physical Fitness Assessment, and she was the fastest female in a challenge called “Operation Excalibur,” about a 3-mile run. Kreis was also awarded the "Fit-T-Fight" award as the top overall fitness award for her class.
“She embodies leadership qualities that will suit her well, both in the Air Force and as an ambassador for the United States during the 2028 Olympics. OTS leadership wishes her all the best and we are proud of her!”