JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Nurse Enlisted and Direct Enlisted Commissioning Programs are accepting applications from active-duty enlisted airmen through Jan. 27, 2017, for the April selection boards.

NECP offers the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a college or university with an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment or a college or university with a "cross-town agreement." Applicants are required to attend school year-round in a resident-based program for up to 24 consecutive calendar months, to include summer sessions. Airmen selected by the NECP board will start school in fall 2017.

The DEC program allows airmen to commission into the Nurse Corps if they already possess a nursing degree and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX.

"Qualified, dedicated nurses are critical to the military and civilian communities," said Maj. Karen Jackson, Nurse Education program manager at the Air Force Personnel Center. "Candidates go through rigorous screening to identify those who are ready for the responsibility and highly likely to succeed in the school and career field."

To be considered for the NECP or DEC boards, applicants must be U.S. citizens with rank of senior airman or higher and no more than 10 years total active federal service (12 years for DEC) as of April 30, 2017. In addition, airmen must meet time-on-station and retainability requirements, possess current security clearances, be worldwide qualified and commissioned by age 42.

Upon successful completion of their degrees, airmen who pass the NCLEX and receive their nursing licenses will be commissioned. Both DEC and NECP candidates will then attend Commissioned Officer Training and the Nurse Transition Program, and move to a final assignment location.

For complete application instructions and requirements, visit myPers. Select "Active Duty Enlisted" from the dropdown menu and search "NECP" or "DEC."

For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to myPers.