Spangdahlem enlisted Airman is selected to attend AFIT Published May 27, 2008 By Master Sgt. Alexander R. Ray 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Imagine the opportunity to continue your education as a student of the highly-respected Air Force Institute of Technology, predominately an all-officer school housed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Now imagine being one of only six enlisted Airmen selected to attend via the Enlisted to AFIT Graduate Degree Program. Such an opportunity was granted to one of Spangdahlem's own; Tech. Sgt. David Flosi, a nuclear maintenance and handling certifying official, assigned to the 704th Munitions Support Squadron, Ghedi Air Base, Italy. According to the AFIT web site, the purpose of the program is to enhance combat capability through career field core competency augmentation. According to the site: "This provides Air Force with a renewable source of highly proficient noncommissioned officers, technically experienced in their career field and highly educated through AFIT graduate degree programs, resulting in greater enhanced combat capability, innovation and improved readiness." Flosi first learned about this program through Master Sgt. John Haneline, his supervisor, while stationed at Ramstien Air Base, Germany in 2003. "He took a look at my background and suggested I consider applying," said Flosi. "I took his advice and reviewed the requirements; since then I've kept the program on my radar. Once I completed the pre-reqs, I spoke with my commander and decided to give it a go." Flosi, who has a Bachelors of Science in Professional Aeronautics with minors in Aviation Safety and Business Management from Embry-Riddle, started his post high-school educational journey by enrolling at Spangdahlem's education office about eight years ago. Completion of the AFIT program will award him a Master's of Science degree in Logistics Management. "I expect to develop a managerial understanding of strategic level logistic processes," he said. "The nuclear maintenance career field is fundamentally a logistics function so the degree will be a perfect fit to continue working in the nuclear community." When asked what he would recommend to others who are interested in this program, he stated, "Be proactive! Everything from your undergraduate grade point average to your date of return from overseas is considered when applying, so pay attention to your career decisions. You can't start early enough ... consider using career development tools such as the Enlisted Development Plan with input from senior enlisted professionals and periodically check requirements to stay educated on the process." He also had tips on how to make the package more appealing by obtaining additional letters of recommendation and making applications unique by customizing the package in optional areas. Flosi, a native of Phoenix, enlisted in the Air Force on May 1, 1996, and is joined by his wife of 12 years and three children ages 9, 7 and 5. His primary duties include evaluating assigned nuclear weapons technicians, aircraft armament technicians, command and control technicians assigned to the 704th as well as Italian Air Force aircrews in maintenance and operational environments. He also takes part in planning and executing NATO exercises. His role is to validate strike mission readiness and provide feedback in critical nuclear surety compliance areas to squadron and group leadership. The 704th is a geographically separated unit that administratively falls under the 52nd Fighter Wing.