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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
