In this highlight article, The AFIT Foundation is recognizing U.S. Space Force Master Sergeant Vincent Olshove, Program Manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation!

MSgt Olshove graduated with his MS in Engineering Management from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology in 2021. Upon graduating high school, MSgt Olshove was unsure of his future. After working a few jobs, he entered the Air Force, which led to 20 years of service. Within three years of joining, he found himself in the Special Operations community, deployed to Afghanistan with a new purpose in life. MSgt Olshove calls his journey a transformation he knew he needed but never knew how to obtain. MSgt Olshove is in his last 9 months of service with an approved retirement date. He has a job lined up with a small business where he will continue delivering capability to the military and future warfighters.

Earning his degree at AFIT opened two life-changing opportunities in the short term for MSgt Olshove. He was selected to take part in the second cohort of USAF Project Arc, a Chief Scientist of the Air Force sponsored Innovation program. This led to an opportunity to work with AFRL’s Center for Rapid Innovation as a Program Manager.

A fond memory MSgt Olshove has from his time at AFIT was travelling to Camp Atterbury in Indiana with Dr. Jacques and the ANT Lab team. They were able to test the flight profile of their small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and it was a wonderful team-building experience.

MSgt Olshove would like to remind those who are considering entering the military that your journey is what you make of it. There are ample opportunities to step outside of your comfort zone, whether through training courses, TDY/deployment, or the opportunity to live and work overseas. He writes, “It’s easy to get comfortable in a job and settle in… but I would suggest you look for those unique opportunities and seize them. There are few other jobs in the world that will afford you the opportunities that the Military can…you just must know where to look, don’t second guess yourself or your potential, and take the chance.” Thank you, Master Sergeant Olshove!