CRW Airman chosen to LEAD

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Gustavo Gonzalez
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  A 621st Contingency Response Wing Airman will soon take a major step into a new role as an Air Force leader.

Senior Airman Seung Song, 817th Global Mobility Squadron aerospace maintenance journeyman, will report this June for basic cadet training in Colorado Springs, Colo. along with the rest of the 2017 class of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Song was accepted to the Academy through the Air Force's Leaders Encouraging Airman Development, or LEAD program, which selects 85 active-duty Airmen to attend the USAFA each year.

A true self-motivator, Song strove for excellence when he applied for USAFA, knowing full well the challenges that may come when attending a military school.

"I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in the world," he said. "I saw that becoming an officer would be my chance and a great opportunity to do so."

Song completed five courses through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in pursuit of a Professional Aeronautics degree and worked to increase his SAT scores and revise his application essays to ensure he exceeded the LEAD pre-requisite standards.

"I also had to get a full physical, pass a physical fitness test, fill out forms, and meet my academy liaison officer for a two-hour interview," Song said.

Retired Col. Anthony Bonanno, USAFA LEAD admissions liaison officer for JBMDL, was a key mentor to Song during the process.

"Airman Song is a detailed-oriented individual, and I hope to see him as a senior Air Force leader in the future," Bonanno said.

After completing basic cadet training this summer, Song will pursue a four year degree in aeronautical engineering, ultimately commissioning as a 2nd Lt.

For more information about Air Force commissioning programs, contact the base education center at (609) 754-3019.