DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

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1 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE PERSONNEL CENTER JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH TEXAS 30 Dec 2013 PSDM: MEMORANDUM FOR ALL MPSs, A1s, J1s FROM: HQ AFPC/DPANN 550 C Street West, Suite 25 Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX SUBJECT: Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) Request widest possible dissemination of this time-sensitive information in base newspapers, bulletins, education offices, and military personnel services (MPS) home pages. Vigilance should be taken to protect Privacy Act (PA) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) when submitting or sending nominations, applications or other documents to DoD agencies whether through government internet systems ( ), postal methods, faxing or scanning. This message includes information on the NECP. The NECP sponsors enlisted members to complete the upper division curriculum towards a Bachelor s Degree in Nursing. Applicants are responsible for meeting the eligibility requirements which includes acceptance into an approved program, completing the academic prerequisites, and submitting their application by the published deadline. I. NECP OVERVIEW The NECP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (Reserve and ANG personnel are not eligible to apply). Upon successful completion of both the degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), members will be commissioned, attend Commissioned Officer Training (COT), the Nurse Transition Program (NTP) and then go to their assignment location. Applicants need to download the application documents found at the following web addresses: or A. AY 14 NECP PSDM B. Intent to Apply C. NECP Most Frequently Asked Questions D. NECP Application E. AFROTC IMT 48, Enlisted Commissioning Program Academic Plan II. CRITICAL DATES TO REMEMBER: A. Suspense date for notification of intent to apply: 28 Feb 2014 B. Applicant must gain release from their career field functional by: 28 Feb 2014

2 C. All prerequisites are non-waiverable and must be completed by: 28 Mar 2014 D. Suspense date for submission of transcripts for academic evaluation: 28 Mar 2014 E. Suspense date for the submission of the CN Interview: 11 Apr 2014 F. Suspense date for submitting completed application: 28 Apr 2014 G. The selection board is tentatively scheduled to convene at AFPC on May 2014 III. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. A. CONUS applicants must have one year Time-On-Station (TOS) at board date. Overseas applicants serving on a short tour must have 9 months TOS prior to their projected PCS and school start date. Overseas applicants (long tour) may not submit an application until we have received approval from their AFPC Functional Manager (the applicant must seek approval) by HQ AFPC/DPANN as to whether curtailment, if necessary, will be approved. B. CONUS and OCONUS applicants are required to contact their respective enlisted Career Field Functional at HQ AFPC to secure release from their career field in order to apply for NECP. An to afpc.dpann1 from the Career Field Functional at HQ AFPC will suffice. C. Applicants must have a minimum grade of E4 (non-waiverable) by board date or anytime during the board month. D. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States E. Applicants must be commissioned by age 42 (non-waiverable) F. Must have a Current Security Clearance: Evidence of entrance National Agency Check (NAC or NLNAC). If clearance is more than 10 years old, action must be initiated to revalidate clearance prior to submitting application. G. Applicants must be world-wide qualified and have a current AF Form 422 (Physical Profile Serial Report). The following statement is mandatory and included in the remarks section of the AF Form 422 (Physical Profile Serial Report) Based upon review of the applicant s records, I certify the applicant has no history of emotional instability and is fully qualified for worldwide duty IAW AFI H. Candidates with an Assignment Limitation Code (ALC) C-1 may apply. A NECP Medical Assessment Form is found at Attachment 2 and must be signed by the Medical Treatment Facility Chief of Medical Services (SGH) and accompany the application and AF Form 422. I. Applicants must attend a school that: 1. Has an AFROTC detachment on campus (Host School) or a AFROTC detachment with a cross-town agreement with a host school. 2. Is nationally accredited; applicants can search the following websites to confirm accreditation: a. The Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education (ACEN) b. Commission of Collegiate Education (CCNE) 3. Can be completed in 24 months 4. The tuition and fees do not exceed $15,000 per academic year IV. INELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS A. Those convicted by court-martial or received an Article 15 during current enlistment. B. Members with an Unfavorable Information File (UIF).

3 C. If identified as having a critically manned AFSC, a projected PCS assignment, receiving a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB), or is identified for retraining (NCORP), the applicant must contact their AFPC Functional Manager to gain approval for release prior to submitting the application. V. APPLICATION PACKAGE WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: A. A copy of AF Form 2030 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Certificate. B. Copies of last five Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs). C. A copy of current Data Verification Brief (DVB). D. A copy of Awards and Decorations SURF. E. Copy of the personal essay (250 words or less, 12 pitch, single spaced) titled WHY I WANT TO BE A NURSE CORPS OFFICER. (NOTE: Essay must be provided to the CN prior to the interview. F. The CN interview must be conducted by an active duty graduated or sitting board-vetted CN at a local medical treatment facility (MTF) or Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES). Contact the local MTF or AES to request an interview with the CN. If the applicant s current assignment location does not have a local approved CN, contact HQ AFPC/DPANN at DSN or commercial to coordinate an interview. The CN interview summary is to be typewritten and ed directly to the AFPC/DPANN Organization Box: afpc.dpann1@us.af.mil G. A current copy of the Air Force Fitness Management (AFFM) system report. 1. If the report is less than excellent, the Air Force fitness assessment must be accomplished within 90 days of the NECP selection board date (May 2014). 2. The applicant must have a minimum passing score of Satisfactory (75 or higher), this is non-waiverable. The fitness report must include the fitness history as well as the member s current height/weight. VI. NECP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: A. Applicants must maintain cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale per semester. B. Applicants must have completed 59 semester hours of graded college coursework from regionally accredited college or university (does not include CLEP or CCAF credits). C. Applicants must have completed the following courses (part of the above mentioned 59 hours). NOTE: These prerequisites must be completed by 28 March General Psychology 2. Anatomy and Physiology I & II (labs required) 3. Microbiology (lab required) 4. Chemistry I & II (labs required) 5. Nutrition 6. Statistics D. If the nursing school does not require any of the above listed academic prerequisites, the degree plan will need to reflect that they are not a requirement, or provide evidence from the school. E. Applicants must include an approved plan of study (AFROTC IMT 48, Enlisted Commissioning Program Academic Plan) demonstrating their ability to complete the academic requirements for the entry level BSN degree within 24-months. F. Any of the above mentioned coursework to include on-line courses will be accepted as

4 long as the prospective nursing school will accept them. However, the applicant must show on the AFROTC IMT 48 that the college/university will accept and grant credit for these classes toward their degree. G. Fully qualified applicants need a letter of acceptance from a nationally accredited nursing school to apply for NECP. A general letter of admission to a college or university is not acceptable. Applicants receiving a Conditional or Provisional letter of acceptance to a nursing school will be nominated as alternates until they have a guaranteed seat in the fall semester. H. If the school has additional requirements/classes required for admission, the applicant must complete the coursework prior to the fall start date (i.e. English Literature and World History II). The applicant is given a conditional acceptance requiring the applicant to take and pass the listed classes prior to the fall start date. The conditional letter is acceptable if the applicant has met the 59 hour pre-requisite requirements. I. If the applicant meets all requirements/prerequisites, the next step is to request an academic evaluation from AFPC/DPANN for consideration for entry into the program. Complete the NECP Intent to Apply document found at: and forward to the AFPC/DPANN1 workflow via afpc.dpann1@us.af.mil. J. Electronic transcript (E-Scripts) must be ed to AFPC/DPANN1 workflow via afpc.dpann1@us.af.mil. If unable to accomplish electronically, then the member must have official sealed transcripts mailed to: HQ AFPC/DPANN, 550 C Street West, Suite 25, Randolph AFB TX K. Official transcripts must arrive at HQ AFPC/DPANN no later than 28 March DPANN will review official transcripts (those sent directly from Registrar s office to DPANN or sealed transcripts from the Registrar s office but given to student, transcripts must be in envelope with an unbroken seal) from each nursing school, college, and university attended post-high school. Electronic transcripts are preferred. L. Once transcripts are reviewed, and academic evaluation letter (AEL) will be ed to the applicant. VII. APPLICATION PROCESS A. The Application package must be routed through the chain of command. The package must include: 1. The completed NECP Application form 2. Letter of Recommendation from the immediate supervisor with First Sergeant and Squadron Commander s endorsements must include: (a) Applicant s name, grade, SSAN, organization/office symbol, duty station, duty phone, fax, and address. (b) First Sergeant s comments must include (but not limited to) comments on the individual s professional image and any disciplinary actions pending (if any). (c) Commander s endorsement must include (but not limited to) an assessment of The member s leadership potential as an officer and the following statement I would/would not recommend this individual to be an officer in my command. 3. The academic evaluation letter (AEL). 4. The NECP checklist reviewed and signed by the Unit Training Manager (UTM). (Atch 1) B. When submitting the application package, scan the items below in the following order: 1. NECP Application with all fields completed, submit per as a PDF document.

5 2. Cover letter with: Name, rank, DOB, DOR, TAFMSD, HYT, reliable cell or phone number, reliable that is checked regularly (even when on leave). 3. Applicant must include the AFROTC Detachment and the phone number, assigned to (include number), degrees already received (i.e. CCAF-Allied Health Science, BS-Sociology, MS Religion, etc.). 4. Letters of recommendation (from immediate supervisor and 1 st and 2 nd endorsement); additional letters will be removed. 5. Applicants essay. 6. Medal narratives downloaded from ARMS/vMPF (most current first). 7. Fitness History (to include historical scores and height/weight). 8. Copy of birth certificate or passport 9. AF Form 422 and applicable waiver(s) (see Atch 2) 10. AF IMT AFROTC IMT Letter of acceptance from school(s) and its nursing program 13. Other school correspondence you feel necessary and important 14. Plan of study (degree plan) annotated on the AFROTC Form 48 and signed by the program/academic advisor. 15. Copy of the school s tuition rates (most schools have this on their website); print and scan the page with the charges/fees per semester or credit hours to verify tuition costs. 16. The NECP Checklist signed by the Unit Training Manager (UTM). C. Completed applications must arrive at AFPC/DPANN NLT 28 Apr 2014; final application packets to the following workflow: afpc.dpann1@us.af.mil. D. Applicants will receive an notifying them that the packet has been received and if additional information is required. VIII. NECP PROGRAM CONDITIONS: A. Members must maintain a 2.75 GPA in the nursing program. B. Members who enter training with an Assignment Limitation Code (ALC) C1 who become C2 while in student status will be disenrolled and returned to their enlisted AFSC. Additionally, graduates with an ALC C1 must remain classified in C1 status (or be cleared of all ALCs) at the time of commissioning, otherwise that graduate will be returned to his/her enlisted AFSC. C. If a medical condition of any kind, to include pregnancy, causes the loss of three (3) days of training or more, or prevents the member from attending Commissioned Officer Training (COT) or the Nurse Transition Program directly upon graduation, the member may be removed from the NECP program and returned to his or her enlisted AFSC, or experience delayed commissioning. HQ AFPC/DPANN is the final elimination authority. D. Applicants are required to attend school year-round for up to 24 consecutive calendar months to include summer sessions. If the school does not have summer sessions, members are required to work at the AFROTC Detachment. The NECP May 2014 selection board considers applicants for the fall of No online degrees will be accepted, the nursing program must be resident-based. E. Members must attend school on a full-time, year-round basis beginning in the fall of 2014 to ensure they complete degree requirements and take the NCLEX exam in no more than 24 consecutive calendar months (minimum of 12 hours credit for the fall and

6 spring semester, 6 credit hours in the summer. We do not allow summer or spring starts for NECP. F. Students will be attached to a local AFROTC unit for tracking and administrative functions as required while attending school full-time. Search AFROTC detachment locations: G. Within 45 days after graduation, members are expected to test and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). H. While awaiting NCLEX results, all students will remain in student status attached to the ROTC detachment for duties and responsibilities. Leave is authorized during this time. I. Once the student is a licensed RN, member will be commissioned and proceed to Commissioned Officer Training (COT). The following link may be helpful: J. Following completion of COT, member will enter the Nurse Transition Program (NTP) prior to their first duty assignment as a Nurse Corps Officer. NTP is a 45 day clinical course for nurses with less than six months clinical experience as an RN. The course begins with mandatory in-processing and lectures. Please go to the following link for more information regarding the NTP program: Nurse Transition Program (NTP) and Residency Programs 1. At NTP, the member is placed on an inpatient unit with a preceptor, either 1:1 or 1:2. NTP is the time the member needs to hone the nursing skills learned in nursing school. It is also a time to learn about being an Air Force Nurse Corps officer. 2. The NTP is not located with the member s first duty assignment. The applicant member will attend the program TDY en route to their first duty assignment. All NECP graduates will be assigned to facilities with inpatient beds, also referred to as a bedded facility. The following are the current NTP locations: (a) Joint Base, San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), Fort Sam Houston, TX (b) University Hospital, Cincinnati, OH (c) Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ (d) Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL 3. The following bases have bedded facilities that can accommodate new graduates (list current as of Nov 2013). AFPC/DPANN will make follow-on assignments based on the needs of the Air Force. (a) Eglin AFB, FL (b) Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK (c) Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA (d) Keesler AFB, MS (e) Landstuhl, AB, GE (f) Nellis AFB, NV (g) RAF Lakenheath, UK (h) Travis AFB, CA (i) San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), Fort Sam Houston, TX (k) Wright Patterson AFB, OH (l) Other locations as deemed appropriate. K. Commissioning commitment: After completion of NECP, students will receive an Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) IAW AFI (Active Duty Service Commitments),

7 Attachment 3, Table 1.2, Rule 14. The ADSC is 3 years for the first year and ½ per ½ year or portions thereof. L. Members formally dropped or eliminated from NECP at any time, either for academic or administrative reasons or voluntary withdrawal, incur an ADSC of two (2) years or the four (4) year ADSC for the completion of the program, whichever is less IAW AFI , Table 1.1. Officer and Enlisted ADSCs, rule 19, Note 2. Members will be issued PCS orders to a new assignment in their enlisted AFSC to complete their active duty service obligation. M. Members not completing the program in 24 months will be returned to their enlisted AFSC. In rare instances, waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis. N. For questions call the Total Force Service Center (TFSC) at DSN , Commercial , or //SIGNED// Director, Assignments & AEF Operations 2 Attachments: 1. Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program Application Checklist 2. NECP Application Medical Assessment Form

8 Attachment 1 NURSE ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (NECP) SELECTION BOARD APPLICATION FINAL CHECKLIST INSTRUCTIONS: The applicant s Unit Training Manager (UTM) will review the NECP education application package against the criteria listed below. When all questions are answered YES, have your Unit Training Manager sign/date this checklist. Send the completed NECP Checklist and to: afpc.dpann1@us.af.mil to arrive no later than 28 April 2014 CRITERIA STATUS Yes No Has the applicant completed the NECP application and submitted as a PDF file? Has the applicant provided proof of US citizenship? Has the applicant provided a copy of current awards & decoration brief and the medal narratives? Has the applicant provided the completed AF Form 422 (Physical Profile Serial Report) with the following statement? Based upon review of the applicant s records, I certify the applicant has no history of emotional instability and is fully qualified for worldwide duty IAW AFI *Candidates with an ALC C-1 may apply. The NECP Medical Assessment Form is found in Attachment 2; and must be signed by the MTF SGH and accompany the Application and AF Form 422. Has the applicant provided a signed copy of AF IMT For 2030 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Certificate? Has the applicant provided a copy of his/her last five EPRs or all previous EPRS if less than five years in service? Has applicant provided official college transcripts by the published due date? Note, once transcripts are received by AFPC/DPANN, the final application does not require a duplicate set of transcripts Has applicant provided a letter of acceptance from the university and its nursing school? Has applicant provided the plan of study (degree plan) to complete program in 24 months on the AFROTC IMT 48 and signed by the program/academic advisor. Note: This form DOES NOT have to be signed by the AFROTC Detachment Commander. Does the application include the applicant s personal essay (250 words or less, single spaced), WHY I WANT TO BE A NURSE CORPS OFFICER?

9 Has applicant completed the Chief Nurse interview prior to 11 Apr 2014? What date? (Note: Chief Nurse Interview will be forwarded directly to HQ AFPC/DPANN by the interviewer.) Has applicant provided a copy of the latest Air Force Fitness Management (AFFMS) report? - Must have a minimum passing score of Good (75 or higher) recorded in the (AFFM) system (non-waiverable). - Fitness assessment must be completed within 90 days of board date. Note: If applicant is deploying within this timeframe, a fitness assessment must be submitted no earlier than 30 days prior to deployment. Does the application include the Supervisor s Letter of Recommendation with 1 st and 2 nd endorsement? Letter of Recommendation from the Immediate Supervisor: Must include applicant s name, grade, SSAN, organization/office symbol, duty station, duty phone, fax, and address. In addition to the supervisor s recommendation, content should also include any organizational awards, quarterly awards, etc. First Endorsement from the First Sergeant: The first endorsement must indicate the following: - Does the member present a professional image? - Does member have any pending disciplinary actions? Second Endorsement from the Squadron Commander: The second endorsement must include an assessment of the member s leadership potential as an officer and the following statement I would / would not recommend this individual to be an officer in my command. DO NOT submit additional letters of recommendation, the only recommendations we accept are from the immediate supervisor and the first and second endorsers. All other letters will be removed. UTM Review: Signature: Date Signed:

10 Attachment 2 Applicants must be medically qualified for worldwide assignment in accordance with AFI and not medically restricted under any Assignment Limitation Code C2-C3 or dentally restricted under a Dental Class 3. Waivers of C1 will be considered on a case by case basis and requires medical review and recommendation from the applicant s SGH. Waivers for Dental Class 3 will be considered if dental issue is expected to resolve prior to school start date. Applications for NECP for those who are C-coded must be accompanied by this completed form. NECP Application Medical Qualifications Waiver C1 Dental Class 3 (please circle applicable ALC) Member s Rank, Name School Location Estimated Date of Departure Estimated Length of School Date of MEB Date of RILO (If greater than 6 months RILO must be accomplished prior to waiver application) 1. SGH: does medical review demonstrate: a) Documentation by specialist/pcm of sustained stability. Member must demonstrate at least one year of medical stability; no acute exacerbations requiring urgent/acute/emergent/inpatient care) of condition being waived and indicating optimal control of condition. Mark Yes if met stability definition 2. Does the medical condition require specialized care? IF YES: a) What specialty b) How frequently does member require follow up? 3. Are there any physical limitations associated with the medical condition (Attach copy of AF Form 469/AFF 422)? If yes, they are Yes No 4. If waiver is requested for a Dental Class 3, will issue be resolved prior to school start date? I have reviewed the member s medical/dental history and recommend / do not recommend waiver for consideration of Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP). SGH Printed Name / Signature/Date