‘Why we serve’ looking for participants Published Feb. 2, 2007 POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense Public Affairs is looking for nominations for participation in the second quarter rotation of calendar year 2007 "Why We Serve" program. All nominees must: - Range in grade from E-5 through O-4. - Have served in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility for at least 90 consecutive days within the past six months. - Possess a government travel card with an account in good standing. OASD/PA will select two members from each set of service nominations to participate in the second quarter program. - Selected members will be placed on temporary duty orders for about 90 days. - Members will report no later than March 27, to the Pentagon, with an anticipated return date of about July 2. - OASD/PA pays for all costs associated with program travel. - "Why We Serve" involves extensive, independent travel over a 90-day period. The following considerations are recommended in reviewing nominees: - Members should be financially stable and emotionally mature. - Members should be up-to-date on service-required testing and training, as no provisions will be made to complete training while assigned to OASD/PA. - Members are not expected to have been decorated for valor. "Why We Serve" is designed to communicate the day-to-day sacrifices made by every member of the armed forces in the long war, not necessarily to recognize uncommon courage under fire. - Members from the Guard and Reserve are welcome. DoD cannot, however, support mobilization exclusively for the purposes of this program. - Selected participants must report with one full set of seasonally appropriate service and/or dress uniforms. Nominations should include the following minimum information: - Nominee name, rank, primary occupational field, duty phone number and e-mail address. - By-name unit POC, contact phone number and e-mail address. - A 500-word, third-person, narrative biography that includes hometown, education, dates of service, assignments of note, combat tours and personal decorations. - Each service may also indicate selection preferences by ranking submissions one through four. Send all nominations to the 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office by Feb. 10. OASD/PA will announce selections via message no later than March 5.