For selected officers, technical expertise coupled with staff experience combine to make command material. Command billets exist at several levels. Some lieutenants and most captains can compete for command positions at small to mid-sized detachments. Senior captains through lieutenant colonels compete for command slots at large detachments or composite detachments. It is important for company grade and young field grade officers to balance their career options with staff or career broadening jobs after attaining a command billet.
Full colonels command the squadrons, regions, and the various headquarters directorates.
Upon graduation, many of these officers are assigned to Air Staff or joint-duty billets.