Sheppard personnel selected for IDE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Intermediate Developmental Education program is a training opportunity offered to only the very elite of Air Force captains meeting their promotion board for major.

In the most recent selection cycle, three of Sheppard's own were selected to attend the course. Capt. Kevin Fruhwirth of the 361st Training Squadron, Captain Brad Funk of the 90th Flying Training Squadron and Capt. Andrew "A.J." Griffin of the 360th Training Squadron will join the latest batch of IDE selectees headed to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., within the next three years.

"I'm obviously thrilled," Captain Fruhwirth said. "You always hope that your hard work will be noticed. For me, this was validation."

"There are a lot of benefits to being selected," Captain Griffin added. "Graduating from IDE offers you the opportunity for a masters degree in military study. It will also help out when I meet my lieutenant colonel's promotion board."

"I'm greatly honored and feel very fortunate to have the oppurtunity," Captain Funk said.

The program is akin to the Airman Leadership School for enlisted personnel in the sense that it provides refresher and advanced training to prepare for a supervisory role. However in the case of IDE, it is not a rite of passage for everyone destined for the next rank.

"You would have to think about all of the senior airmen who made staff sergeant in the
Air Force, and then take the top 20 percent of those Airmen and allow them to go to ALS, while everyone else would be required to read the material and take tests at home to get credit for the course," Captain Griffin said.

"Programs like IDE help develop the types of leaders that the Air Force requires," Captain Funk said. "Those who attend become experts."

Selectees for IDE are picked by a second review board, following the one to determine promotion to major. Those picked will attend the course; everyone else will earn their IDE credit through correspondence or by attending a separate seminar.

Selection for IDE depends on many factors.

"Group/wing/MAJCOM/Air Force awards, distinguished graduate status from commissioning sources, technical schools and squadron officer school, along with every level of responsibility and results in the positions you've held ... sets those selected for IDE apart from others," Captain Fruhwirth said.

"When the promotion board reviews your annual performance reports, they are looking at the whole person and your entire career," Captain Griffin said.

Of the 2100-plus captains Air Force-wide who anticipate promotion to major this cycle, about 450 will attend IDE.