CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Mark Sanford is
getting a promotion in the Air Force Reserve.
His commanding officer said Friday that Sanford's rank will
go to captain from lieutenant by month's end even though the
governor hasn't completed all the training required to become
a fully qualified medical administration officer in the Air
Force Reserve's 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
"He attends drills once a month and is doing what we've
asked him to do," said Col. Gary Cook, commander of the 315th
Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base. Cook said the
promotion is routine.
About 40 percent of the 315th Wing has been called to
active duty during the past year, but Sanford hasn't been
called up.
The governor's status as a member of the Reserve is being
challenged in court because the South Carolina Constitution
says a sitting governor cannot hold any other office or
commission except in the militia. The state Supreme Court
hasn't ruled in that case.
Sanford joined the Air Force Reserve in January 2002 about
two months before he filed to run for governor. He has
defended his decision saying being in the Reserve makes him a
better governor and father to his four sons.
Last April, Sanford completed two weeks of training at
Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for officers who receive direct
commissions.
He has said he is working on a correspondence course
designed to train him as a medical administrator. A final
portion of the course must be completed at a base in San
Antonio. Reserve spokesman Kenny Pruitt said Sanford's name
did not appear on any schedule for training in Texas.
Information from: The Post And Courier
