Opportunities available in financial management Published Dec. 16, 2009 By Daniel Elkins Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force line officers interested in applying for the Financial Management Leadership Program must submit their nominations to the Air Force Personnel Center by Jan. 5. The four-year program specializes in Air Force leadership development by providing an opportunity for line officers outside the 65F financial management career specialty a chance to gain experience as comptroller squadron commanders. "Financial management is a valuable competency for future strategic leaders," said Maj. John Decker, the chief of comptroller officer assignments here. "This program allows officers an excellent opportunity to use and develop their critical business management skills." The program is open to majors and major-selects in the year groups 1997-2000 who possess an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, accounting, economics or financial management. The Financial Management Leadership Program consists of three phases. First, officers selected for the program attend the four-week financial management staff officer course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Next, they are assigned to major command financial management staffs as part of a two-year internship to gain a broad understanding of financial services, budget analysis, and planning and programming. During this second phase, officers will also attend a four-week course at the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School at Maxwell, AFB, Ala., for further professional development education. The final phase of the program includes an assignment of command at a comptroller squadron, typically within the same major command. In this assignment, individuals command up to 75 personnel, serve as the chief financial officer to the wing commander and manage an annual operating budget of more than $100 million. Following this approximate two-year command, officers are released back to their career field. Officers interested in applying for this program must be approved for temporary release from their career field by their functional assignment team as well as meet further basic eligibility criteria. Nomination packages are due to the AFPC Acquisition Officer Assignments Branch by Jan. 5. A selection board convenes Jan. 20 at AFPC to identify candidates. For more details on eligibility requirements and nomination procedures, visit the AFPC "Ask" Web site or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.