Laughlin Airman admitted to Air Force Academy Published May 18, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Blake Mize 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Laughlin Airman who has supported countless Air Force Academy graduates during his tenure here as a member of Laughlin's maintenance team will soon get the opportunity to attend the prestigious institution. Airman 1st Class Daniel Mihm, 47th Maintenance Directorate, was recently granted his release from the active-duty Air Force to attend the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Airman Mihm, a precision measurement equipment laboratory technician in the 47th MX, applied to the Academy through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program, which allows a small number of active-duty Airmen to attend the Academy. He worked with Maj. Jorge Pargas, the admissions liaison officer for the LEAD program in the Del Rio area, and Laughlin's education center to compile everything he needed for the program. "The idea was first presented to me when a couple of cadets from the Academy gave a presentation at Keesler AFB, Miss. when I was there," Airman Mihm said. "The idea of graduating from such a prestigious institution is what kept me interested." "Airman Mihm was an exceptional candidate from the beginning of the application process," said Major Pargas. Airman Mihm credited his superiors in the PMEL shop for assisting in the preparation of his application package. "My supervisor, Staff Sgt. Andrew Doman, and my lab chief, Tech. Sgt. Khoa Nguyen, have both been very supportive in allowing me time to complete my application," he said. "My flight chief, Master Sgt. Stephen Keltgen, has been an invaluable resource as well, guiding me to the correct people to talk to and making sure everything was finished in a timely manner." The Crystal Lake, Ill., native also said his first sergeant was instrumental in the process. "My first shirt, Master Sgt. Nick Kurpier was another asset. He ensured that the main component of my package, the letter of endorsement from the commander, was completed," Airman Mihm said. The assistance of his superiors and the hard work he put into the process paid off. Airman Mihm earned a direct appointment to the Academy through the LEAD program, which is rarely the case. "Most Airmen who attend the Academy through the LEAD program are first appointed to the preparatory school there," said Christine Engel, Laughlin's education center chief of education and training. "The fact that Airman Mihm was appointed directly to the actual Academy speaks volumes to his qualification as an Airman." Out of the approximately 1,300 appointed to the Academy this year, only 85 slots were available for active duty Airmen and even fewer were appointed directly without having to complete the preparatory course. Because of the stringent guidelines, including age restrictions and academic standards, Airman Mihm is the first Laughlin Airman to be admitted to the academy since 2006. However, there are resources available to those who are interested. The education center is always a valuable resource for anything concerning academics, including the LEAD program, and Major Pargas said that it is his responsibility as the program's ALO to help candidates through their entire application process. "Interested Airmen will have help at every corner if they are interested in applying to the Academy," he said. For more information about Air Force commissioning programs, contact the base education center.