Senior Master Sgt. Charles Bilbey, Space-Based Infrared Systems System Exploitation superintendent, graduated Sept. 13 from the Enlisted-to-Air Force Institute of Technology Program.

Previously an officer-only opportunity, the program opened to enlisted members in 2003.

Meeting the requirements and accepting the three-year active-duty service commitment upon graduation, Bilbey joined the second class offered, which included only 11 enlisted members.

"My decision to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology was driven by my thirst for knowledge and my dedication to be the best leader I can," he said.

He has more than 25 years of service including 17 years as an aircraft structural maintenance technician and eight years in the space career field.

"I do not like to say I don't know. As a senior enlisted leader, I believe it is my job to have the answers or know where to get them," he said.

When he received word that he had been accepted to the Air Force Institute of Technology, he was on a temporary-duty assignment at Randolph AFB, Texas.

Bilbey was helping update the 1C6 promotion test in an effort to broaden his knowledge of the space career field.

"Out of all the enlisted career fields eligible, that of 1C6 had the most direct correlation to the degree program," said his mentor, retired Chief Master Sgt. Doug Anding, a civilian contractor with the Air Force Space Command Space Professional Management Office, Peterson AFB, Colo.

With the support of his wife, Micaela, and his mentor he began the Graduate of Space Systems Program in October of 2003. Although he had a technical undergraduate degree, it was not engineering in nature.

"I wish we could get more people into the Enlisted-to- Air Force Institute of Technology program," said Anding. "But it does require a great deal of math. Not everyone is willing to go the extra mile."

He was allotted two-and-a-half years rather than the usual 18-month schedule so he could complete calculus, differential equations and physics, undergraduate courses considered necessary to ensure success in the Air Force Institute of Technology program.

As part of the rapid prototype team for Space-Based Infrared Systems System, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Luke O'Sullivan (left), SBIRS System Exploitation project officer and Senior Master Sgt. Charles Bilbey, SBIRS System Exploitation superintendent, work together to bring new technology to their customer, the 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colo., in a more timely manner. Photo by Ms. Stacee McCausland

By taking courses at Wright State University and the Air Force Institute of Technology at the same time, he was able to graduate in less than two years.

"For my thesis, I developed a very preliminary Matlab � a tool for doing numerical computations with matrices and vectors � coded algorithm that would mathematically simulate the behavior of maneuverable re-entry vehicles as they re-enter the earth's atmosphere," said Bilbey. "The Air Force Institute of Technology was a rewarding experience I won't soon forget."

Prior to his recent assignment here, Bilbey's experience in the space operations career field included an assignment to the attack launch and early report to theater missile warning system operated by the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., as the operations superintendent.

When the 11th Space Warning Squadron was deactivated, he was then assigned as the squadron superintendent of the 2nd Space Warning Squadron, the replacement system of "attack launch and early report to theater," as well as other mission areas, including Space-Based Infrared Systems at Buckley AFB, Colo.

"I would give any enlisted member considering the Enlisted-to-the Air Force Institute of Technology Program the same advice I received when I was considering it � go for it!"

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