Captain couple beats odds for intern jobs - Air Force newlyweds are both chosen for the Air Force Internship Program
Louis A. Arana-BarradasLAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It's tough to make the final cut for the Air Force Internship Program. Capts. Fred and Melissa Cunningham knew that. But they still tossed their hats in the ring -- and beat the odds.
Both were on the list of the 50 junior officers chosen--352 applied--for the 13-month Pentagon tour. The couple reports for duty this month.
But they were worried only one would make it. In that case, they'd have to live apart. A prospect the "nearly" newlyweds didn't relish.
"As great as this program is, it was more important for us to be together," said Fred, a T-1 Jayhawk instructor pilot with the 47th Flying Training Squadron. "We're lucky it worked out."
Once chosen, the only way to turn down the slot is leave the Air Force. That wasn't an option for the two Air Force Academy graduates. They've just started their careers.
Besides, they were confident they'd both make it.
"We just put our names in and prayed," said Melissa, the 47th Flying Training Wing executive officer. "We tried not to let it concern us."
Interns get a once-in-a-career chance to learn how the Air Force works with the other services and a host of other agencies and government departments.
It starts with a one-month orientation. Then interns take graduate classes at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. And then come two six-month tours in a top Pentagon office, like the Air Staff or Joint Staff. One will be in their career fields. The other will be in a different job.
For Fred, a C-5 Galaxy pilot, he'll a return to his heavy airlift roots after the internship. Melissa will go back to her communications career.
The Pentagon tour will give them career broadening "to use down the road," Fred said.
The opportunity doesn't mean the two will remain in the Air Force. But it does extend their commitment, Fred said.
Whether they stay in the Air Force or not depends on 'God's will," Melissa said. "But we're taking the steps needed for a successful Air Force career."
COPYRIGHT 2001 U.S. Air Force, Air Force News Agency
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group