Opportunities available in financial management by Dan Elkins Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs 2/11/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force line officers interested in applying for the Financial Management Leadership Program must submit their nominations to the Air Force Personnel Center by March 3. The four-year program specializes in Air Force leadership development by providing an opportunity for line officers outside of the 65F financial management career specialty a chance to gain experience as comptroller squadron commanders. "Financial management is a valuable competency for future strategic leaders," said Maj. John Decker, the chief of comptroller officer assignments. "This program allows officers an excellent opportunity to use and develop their critical business management skills." The program is open to majors and major-selects in the 1998 to 2001 year groups who possess an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, accounting, economics or financial management. The Financial Management Leadership Program consists of two phases. First, officers selected for the program are assigned to major command financial management staffs as part of a two-year internship to gain a broad understanding of financial services, budget analysis, and planning and programming. Additionally, officers attend the Financial Management Staff Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the four-week course at the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School at Maxwell, AFB, Ala., for further professional development. The second phase of the program includes a command assignment at a comptroller squadron. In this assignment, officers will command up to 75 people, serve as the chief financial officer to the wing commander and manage an annual operating budget of more than $100 million. Following the two-year command assignment, officers return to their core career field. Officers interested in applying for this program must be approved for temporary release from their career field by their functional assignment team, and must meet further basic eligibility criteria. Nomination packages are due to the AFPC Comptroller Officer Assignments Team by March 3. A selection board convenes March 10 to identify candidates. For more details on eligibility requirements and nomination procedures, visit the Air Force personnel services website at https://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.