Olmsted scholars named

  • Published
  • By Debbie Gildea
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas --  Six Air Force captains will spend their next tour of duty in Russia, the Ukraine, Brazil, China or India pursuing an academic mission as Olmsted Foundation Scholarship winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

The Olmsted Scholar Program, sponsored by the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, offers Air Force line officers an opportunity to study in a foreign language at an international university. Selectees will experience cultural immersion in the selected country, including university study in the native language, said Maj. Cotina Jenkins-Sellers, AFPC officer developmental education branch chief.

"Officers selected will spend up to a year in language proficiency training at the Defense Language Institute, followed by two years of study at the university in-country," the major said.

The Olmsted Foundation uses the scholarship program to offer outstanding young military leaders with an opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language, pursue graduate study at an overseas university, and develop understanding of foreign cultures, Jenkins-Sellers said. Officers from every military branch may apply for the program, which helps to equip graduates for increasing leadership responsibilities and opportunities, she added.

"Education is a critical component of developing strategic awareness and vision. The Olmsted scholarship offers our officers a rare, invaluable opportunity to develop academically as well as culturally, which ultimately enhances our Air Force," the major said.

Class of 2013 Olmsted scholars include the following captains:
Michael Baird, Hurlburt Field, Fla., selected to study in Lviv, Ukraine.
Fernando Cruz, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., selected to study in Moscow.
Elia Hickie, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, selected to study in Rio de Janeiro.
Mark Hickie, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, selected to study in Rio de Janeiro.
Michael Sullivan, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., selected to study in Beijing.
Scott Wallace, Offutt AFB, Neb., selected to study in New Delhi.

For more information about developmental education opportunities or other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.