Combat officers from the ranks only?

[Umar Al-Mokhtār]

is not so much possesing a degree. Yes, holding a degree is used as a litmus test for new entrants. But NCO's are not new entrants and are rarely created in a few years; thus they have a different level of maturity, or perhaps better said: seasoning. The services would still send them to flight school and certainly a percentage would wash out, just like the college educated.

Ken, you don't know the half of it. ACC is obssessed with the fear that some pimply faced enlisted person might become, wait for it...

the first 21st Century ace (The HORROR!!!!!)

[Ken White]

...
Ken, you don't know the half of it. ACC is obssessed with the fear that some pimply faced enlisted person might become, wait for it...

the first 21st Century ace (The HORROR!!!!!)

they'll do what the Corps did with Ken Walsh and others and the Navy did with all their enlisted Aces, make 'em Warrants or Commission them during or after the fact.

'Face' is not just an oriental concept.

There are real requirements and then there are political and cultural requirements...