Crossing into the blue

Airman, Spring, 2006 by Scott Wagers

Understanding how a childhood desire to become an astronaut earned one Airman a doctorate in aerospace engineering is the easy part. Where it gets complicated is comprehending how Capt. Eric Schultz mustered to bring him on active duty as a fighter pilot.

Born in 1973, the captain's interest in outer space began when he saw footage of Neil Armstrong plant the American flag on the moon.

"In early elementary school, I played with 'Space Legos' and carried around an electronic game that quizzed my knowledge of multiplication tables," he said.

He developed an interest in computers and programming, and by his senior year in high school, had completed advanced placement physics and calculus, and earned a college scholarship.

With only two ways to build a competitive application for the space program--as a civilian or a military member--and wanting to fly, he approached the Air Force first, through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. However, his eyesight was not good enough to become a pilot, so he went with plan B.

While working on his Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering, he served as a helicopter flight test engineer. But when Captain Schultz applied to Officer Training School, he was denied a second time.

Turning rejection into motivation, he played his career options over the next six years like a well thought out chess match. He completed his masters and doctorate degrees doing research in high-speed aerodynamics and combustion.

He even elected to have PRK laser eye surgery, and applied to OTS a second time in 1999, but PRK waivers didn't apply to fliers--disqualifying him again.

In 2001, when he was eligible to apply to NASA's civilian astronaut program, the Air Force began granting PRK waivers for fliers. On his fourth attempt in 10 years, he received a waiver, attended OTS and was finally commissioned. But within days, his waiver was revoked. That wasn't the end though. Five months later, the Air Force chief of staff granted him an Exception to Policy to fly.

"I guess you could say the overall lesson in my life has been persistence pays off," said Captain Schultz, now assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

Keeping his goals in perspective, he knows that getting into the space program may never happen.

"Whether my plans materialize or not, I could see myself as a 20-year guy," he said. "So many people have worked to give us the freedoms we enjoy today--and now it's my turn."