On March 20, the Olmsted Scholar Program announced the names of five Air Force officers who would join the Olmsted class of 2015. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, McChord Field's own Capt. Melissa Dombrock, a C-17 pilot with the 62nd Airlift Wing, was one of those five.

The program, sponsored by the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, offers officers from every military branch an opportunity to study at an international university in the country's native language and experience complete cultural immersion. The intent is to equip the graduates for increasing leadership responsibility and opportunities within their military careers.

For Dombrock, who learned about this program early on in her career, becoming an Olmsted Scholar has been a goal for almost a decade, although this was the first time she applied. She cited her interest in immersing in a foreign culture, becoming a regional expert and having an expanded perspective when she returned to serve her country.

"I always wanted to serve since I grew up seeing the world and experiencing new cultures," explained Dombrock, whose mother was a pilot for United Airlines. "I also grew up in Colorado near the academy, so wanting to be in uniform was natural."

As part of her Olmsted application, she had to cultivate a preference list of up to 20 locations, with parameters that there be no more than two cities per country. So she and her husband, Ryan, a fellow Air Force officer, spent time investigating and submitted a list of just 15, though they spanned 10 different languages.

"We were excited about all of the choices so any assignment would have worked," Dombrock said. "Morocco was the eighth choice, but we're thrilled!"

Although residents of Morocco speak French - which, coincidentally, Dombrock has studied for years - they also speak Arabic, which will be her assigned language.

In 2015, Dombrock will move to the capital city of Rabat in Morocco and begin a two-year program with the intent of achieving a master's degree within the field of international relations. All of her classes in country will be taught in Arabic, so it is imperative that she studies the language before heading to northern Africa.

Therefore, since it is an additional option offered through the Olmsted program, Dombrock is planning on attending either the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, Calif. or the Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C. for up to a year.

"It makes sense to start my studies in the U.S. first and then go to Morocco," said Dombrock, 31, who has been stationed at McChord Field since 2012. 

In the meantime, Ryan will be starting his own studies in French since he will accompany his wife to spend two years in Morocco even though that means a separation from the Air Force.

"Arabic is very strategic and will be important as I continue to serve and in my career, but I know it is difficult to learn," she said.

"I worked hard to get here and I will continue to work hard as an Olmsted Scholar," continued Dombrock. "I love to learn new things, I like to challenge myself and I've always been interested in picking up an additional language. Because I have such a passion about it, I am confident I will succeed."