Air Force Offers Ex-Cadets Chance For Commissions

The long fight of 35 men from the Class of 1954 to receive their Air Force commissions may have ended. In a surprise announcement, the Air Force announced recently all 35 can serve at least six months as officers if they will enlist in the Corps by June.

This brought to a close a running battle between the Air Force and the 35, which began in the winter of 1954. At that time, the Air Force said that all AFROTC graduates who were not flight candidates could not be commissioned on graduation.

Petition for Commission

The Air Force said it had too many administration officers--the branch the 35 would have gone into--and that the best it could do would be to give them certificates of completion. These certificates allow enlistment as Airmen for only two years instead of the normal four.

The 35 sent protests to their Congressmen and petitioned the Air Force for their commissions. Finally, in an attempt to ease the situation, the Air National Guard offered to take all 35 into its service. But since they would not receive veterans' rights under this plan, the majority of the men refused the offer.

After graduation, some of the 35 took the National Guard's offer; some enlisted in the Air Force as Airmen; some were drafted; and about 15 went to graduate schools. After the Air Force's announcement came through, those who were in the National Guard were transferred to the Air Force.

But a dilemma still faces the 15 who were not in the service. They have the option of finishing their education or of enlisting by June. If they enlist they will probably enter as Airmen and then be commissioned during their two years' service, probably serving the last six months as officers.