"Thanks to my mom, I am an officer today," stated Second Lieutenant Ellis Gales, U.S. Army. "This is because she always taught me to look for opportunities and seize every chance to further my education. I also learned early to work hard to stay competitive so when the time came for a good job, various career choices would be open to me." Gales followed his mother's advice and fulfilled his dream by enrolling in the Army's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at Lincoln University, and later at Missouri Western State College, where he graduated in last May with a degree in communications. The ROTC program, offered by the military services at most American colleges and universities, provided Gales with the chance to get his education paid for by a military scholarship and become an officer upon graduation. "Ellis, my baby," beamed Sarah Gales, "made all my prayers come true the day he graduated and we pinned on his gold bars making him an officer." "I just cried with pride," she continued, "as deep down I knew he had the ability and skills, just like his dad did before him. Now, he will get the maturity and leadership training that will make him even better later in life," she stated.

First Lieutenant Maurice L. Dunn, an Air Force officer since graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1997, saw his dad as his role model while growing up. "Dad was the man, but he was also my best friend when I needed one," stated Dunn. "I lettered in three sports in high school but my dad always stressed the importance of academics also," Dunn said, "and I'm truly glad he did!" "Colleges such as UCLA, Washington State, and Hawaii called to recruit me but the Air Force Academy wanted me for my math and science skills rather than my basketball talent," Dunn reported.

Dunn, received his B.S. degree in civil engineering and is now a network engineer in a computer systems squadron. He is now also near completion of his master's degree. "When not on job assignments, I represent the Air Force at colleges and high schools to tell our Air Force story," Dunn stated. "The respect given to me by faculty and students makes me feel special, and gives me the belief that I am making a difference in someone else's life," Dunn beamed. "I truly feel blessed!"

Captain Tamia N. Gordon (U.S. Marine Corps) and First Lieutenant Yolanda S. Dozier (U.S. Air Force) both "signed up" for similar programs to become officers. Their programs, Officer Candidate School (OCS) covering 11 weeks for Gordon and Officer Training School (OTS) covering 10 weeks for Dozier, offered different challenges, but the same results, officers ready and capable to lead!

"I have always been one to accept challenges and look for opportunities to lead by example," Gordon said. The Marine Corps offered me both. Gordon obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry from American University, where she attended on a full academic scholarship. "The classes were tough and time consuming," Gordon commented, " but I still found time to pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority." Next, Gordon received her master's degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. "I needed to strengthen my technical background," stated Gordon when asked as to "why" she immediately sought higher education before looking for her first job after graduation. But, Gordon wasn't finished yet. She then attended the University of San Francisco School of Law to prepare herself for becoming a patent attorney. "Becoming a patent attorney is really my second career choice," Gordon stated. "Being a Marine Corps officer was always my first." As a Marine, I am developing my leadership skills and serving as a positive role model for women and kids that I am involved with as a mentor," commented Gordon.

According to First Lieutenant Yolanda S. Dozier, an Air Force officer assigned to Scott Air Force Base, getting a corporate engineering position right after college was nearly impossible without experience. "I interviewed with very prestigious engineering firms following graduation from Southern Illinois University," commented Dozier. "I thought my electrical engineering degree, a competitive GPA, and my dedicated work ethic would carry me far," she added. It didn't! "I needed to get experience in the engineering field and the Air Force is giving it to me." As a network engineer, Dozier travels to Air Force bases around the world working on Y2K issues. "My time in the Air Force is up in two years," she commented, " and with the experiences I have received, firms are beginning to pursue me now." "Better yet, many of my ideas and recommendations on Y2K have been published in newsletters and magazines distributed throughout the Air Force," Dozier said proudly.

Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy R. Wyrick, a career Army officer working at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., feels times have changed positively since he began his military career almost 26 years ago. "Sure, corporate giants such as Boeing, Microsoft, Nextel and EDS draw the most attention from minorities seeking their first job after college," Wyrick said. But, we are now seeing more of the best and brightest African Americans selecting the military as well. "We {the military services} are relying on our growing numbers of options and opportunities to attract and interest those wanting to lead while learning immediately following graduation. Approximately 15,000 officers are recruited each year," Wyrick added. The options and opportunities referred to by Wyrick as being offered by the military services are numerous. Job fields include law, law enforcement, finance, administrative, medical, dental, engineering, logistics, information systems and aviation to name a few. Job assignments range from command management to support staff and from student to instructor at locations throughout the United States and around the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost 300 basic and advanced occupational specialties for officers. Opportunities should be good in all branches of the Armed Forces through 2006 for applicants meeting the desired standards. Qualifying measures for these opportunities are the same for all interested individuals:

• minimum of a 2.0 GPA and qualifying SAT/ACT score
• full-time student
• good medical and dental condition
• height and weight proportional and to the standards of that service
• good moral character.

Lieutenant Timika L. Burnett, qualifying in all areas, grasped the Navy's challenge to lead without hesitation. A 1992 Naval Academy graduate, Burnett's job assignments have given her responsibility for supervising over 130 people at 32 recruiting stations covering over 55,000 square miles. "When the Navy promised me the chance to lead, learn, and give back to those following me, I was hooked," beamed Burnett. She also served as a tutorial program coordinator for the Monterey Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association in 1999, which performed mentoring activities in the Monterey, California community. "I completed my master's degree in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA," said Burnett. "All paid for by the Navy," she announced while smiling.

So, what is the attraction to the military for college students and graduates today? Is it the pay? The benefits? "Not necessarily," according to Wyrick. "Each officer has his or her own reasons along with personal and professional goals," Wyrick said. He continued by saying, "what I have found over the years is that it's not just about the pay and benefits." However, the pay and benefits are very competitive today.

"It's more about promotional opportunities, career progression, and the chance for higher education," he said. Wyrick served in the Navy for three years prior to entering Dallas Baptist College to earn his degree and receive his Army commission as a Second Lieutenant. "The future appeared bright for me then and has proven to be all that I had hoped for," stated Wyrick. "I've supervised over 120 people at any given time, had the responsibility to manage budgets of five to 10 million dollars, and been afforded the personal time to mentor youth groups of all ages. Along the way I have earned my master's degree from Central Michigan University." Wyrick commented "New officers such as 2nd Lt. Gales, seeking new challenges, will reap more rewards as well." "Gales' college history of being on the Dean's list and recognized as a super scholar athlete reflects the caliber of minorities we are attracting today in the Army who are second to none," Wyrick stated.

Salaries and benefits many times surpass those offered by civilian companies for entry-level positions, as reported in wage comparison guides referenced by recruitment firms. Salaries and benefits for 2nd Lts./Ensigns for the year 2000 are listed below:

Admiral Jay L. Johnson, chief of Naval Operations in the U.S. Navy, expressed his feelings on minorities entering the Navy in these words:

"Minorities in command and at all levels from seaman recruit to four star admiral help make our Navy great and serve America twice by strengthening our ties to the community as well."

Decision or indecision on what job or position to take following college is common among college students and graduates. What may make it uncommon for many African Americans is that the mystique of military service may still hinder many qualified minorities from taking advantage of the options and opportunities offered. However, what is very encouraging today is that African Americans having a serious interest in becoming officers are seeking advice from role models such as General Colin Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, a former Navy officer. These role models enthusiastically share their values of officership which inspire young officers to develop, learn, and lead by example. And, of course, other key role models like mom and dad, simply want their children to check out all of the available options and opportunities before making an intelligent career decision.

Charles E. Boyd is the director of Recruitment for ITT/ESI in St. Louis, MO.