AF vectors 58 captains, majors into regional affairs program Published Jan. 23, 2014 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force has selected 58 line officer captains and majors for development as regional affairs strategists under the International Affairs Specialist Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. The program, managed by the Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, is a force development initiative intended to create a cadre of officers with in-depth regional expertise, said Lt. Col. Carl Wood, AFPC international affairs assignments. It offers eligible Airmen with an opportunity to develop international insight, foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding. Following training, RAS officers will fill international political-military assignments. "Their in-depth international and regional experience and professional level language skills, combined with existing operational skills strengthen the Air Force's ability to build partnerships with allied and coalition partners," said Wood. Most officers selected for the program will earn an advanced academic degree, learn a foreign language, and serve a six-month immersion among several countries within their assigned region in order to meet DoD certification requirements. Depending on their assigned region, existing degrees, foreign language proficiency, and in-country experience, selectees' RAS training programs will be accelerated to include only the necessary elements. Officers selected for the program can sit in on the Jan. 30 webinar, which begins at noon eastern, said Wood. To log in, go to Defense Connect Online at https://connect.dco.dod.mil/r2q73262l1d/ and log in at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. To see the list of selectees, or for more information about the international affairs program, go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil, select "search all components" from the drop down menu and enter "PSDM 14-06" or "International Affairs Specialist Program" in the search window.