Non-finance officers eligible for finance field leadership program Published Jan. 10, 2012 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Non-finance officers interested in financial management leadership opportunities have until the end of January to apply for the financial management leadership program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. "FMLP helps develop strategic leaders by providing non-finance officers with the skills, leadership and management exposure that will enable them to command a comptroller squadron," said Capt. Samual Shimp, AFPC comptroller assignments officer. Nominees selected will participate in a two-phase four-year program, Shimp said. Phase I is a two-year internship with a major command FM staff, during which officers rotate through different finance functions including financial services, budget analysis and planning and programming. In addition, participants will attend the Financial Managmeent Staff Officer Course at Keesler AFB, Miss., and the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School at Maxwell AFB, Ala. "After the internship, officers will take command of a comptroller squadron," Shimp explained. "A participant could command up to 75 people, serve as the wing commander's chief financial advisor, and manage a multi-million dollar annual operating budget. It's a weighty responsibility, but candidates selected for the program will benefit immeasurably from the hands-on opportunity." After the command phase, officers are released back to their original career field, he said. "No matter what field they're originally from, FMLP participants return to their fields with broader awareness of resource management challenges and opportunities. That awareness is absolutely critical for all Air Force leaders," said Shimp. All Air Force line officer career fields - except the 65F financial management - are eligible to apply for the program, with their career field assignment team's approval. In addition, nominees must have a history of superior performance and potential for promotion to senior level positions. Nominees must have both their undergraduate and graduate degrees, preferably in business, accounting, economics or financial management. Officers who have been passed over for promotion, those with an approved retirement or separation date, those who declined with prejudice from any command candidate selection board, and officers with an active unfavorable information file are not eligible to apply. Officers must be nominated by their senior raters, and packages must be e-mailed to AFPC by Jan. 31. For full eligibility and application procedures, and for more information about other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.