AU staff makes impact at AETC Symposium

The staff of the Thomas Barnes Center for Enlisted Education attend the 2012 Air Education and Training Command Symposium, held Jan. 12-13 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. More than 4,000 service members, civilians, and business and civic leaders attended the two-day event. Keeping with the event's theme, "Develop America's Airmen Today...for Tomorrow," the symposium featured more than 70 seminars and panels highlighting the leading education and training-related services in the military and industry. (Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Stoltz)

Basic Officer Training, Academy of Military Sciences graduate together

More than 100 new active duty and guard officers were commissioned and began officer careers Dec. 16 after graduating in the first combined Basic Officer Training and Academy of Military Sciences graduation ceremony and parade, which reflects a joint team, joint fight concept, according to 1st Lt. Karl Wiest, flight commander, 24th Training Squadron. Basic Officer Training trains and commissions second lieutenants to fulfill Air Force active-duty and Air Force Reserve requirements in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. The program consists of 12 weeks of military instruction and leadership development for college graduates leading to a commission as a second lieutenant. The Academy of Military Science, a detachment of the Air National Guard Readiness Center, is a six-week program designed to train and commission second lieutenants to fulfill Air National Guard requirements. AMS was established in 1971 and has commissioned more than 14,500 officers. Originally located at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn., AMS relocated to Maxwell in 2009. To commission as officers, all OTS trainees complete a demanding accessions program. In addition, they also volunteered hundreds of hours of local community service, including participating in blood drives, supporting the Montgomery Veterans Day parade and helping build houses in support of Habitat for Humanity. (Air Force Photo/Bud Hancock)

'My Military Family' - AFRC Announces Winners of Youth Art Contest

Winning art by Owen Clark for the Airman and Family Readiness Center's 'My Military Family' art contest. (Courtesy photo)

'My Military Family' - AFRC Announces Winners of Youth Art Contest

Winning art by Carolyn Pope for the Airman and Family Readiness Center's 'My Military Family' art contest. (Courtesy photo)

Gunter Youth Center bakes up holiday spirit

From left, Jaylah Caitlin and Tiars Wilson are guided by youth counselor LaToya Box in preparation for baking goods Tuesday. The Gunter Youth Center made snacks from scratch to deliver to security forces and fire department personnel. This project is one of the several projects the Gunter Youth Center conducts throughout the year. For more information about the Gunter Youth Center, call 416-3436. (Air Force photo/Christopher Kratzer)

Gunter Youth Center bakes up holiday spirit

From left, Alyson Watson and Kallerston Ponder mix ingredients together for sweet treats. The Gunter Youth Center made snacks from scratch to deliver to security forces and fire department personnel. This project is one of the several projects the Gunter Youth Center conducts throughout the year. For more information about the Gunter Youth Center, call 416-3436. (Air Force photo/Christopher Kratzer)