MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development welcomed its newest leader during a change of command ceremony here, August 18, 2026.
Brigadier General Christopher T. Lay assumed command of the center from Brigadier General Joseph L. Sheffield. Major General Jeffrey W. Nelson, commander of the Air Force Accessions Center, presided over the ceremony, symbolizing the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Nelson presented Brig. Gen. Sheffield with the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious service as commander from July 8, 2024, to June 10, 2026.
"General Sheffield's exemplary leadership resulted in vital contributions that will impact the United States Air and Space Forces for the foreseeable future," said Maj. Gen. Nelson. "He fundamentally reshaped the officer accession enterprise, delivering decisive strategic advantage to the Department of War."
Following the presentation of the medal, Brig. Gen. Sheffield expressed his appreciation to the Airmen, Space Force Guardians, and civil service members of the Holm Center, offering a final salute to the unit.
The transition of leadership was finalized with the traditional passing of the unit guidon. Guided by Chief Master Sgt. Khamillia Washington, the Holm Center Command Chief, Brig. Gen. Sheffield passed the flag to Maj. Gen. Nelson, who then transferred it to Brig. Gen. Lay, formally charging him with the command.
Upon assuming command, Brig. Gen. Lay expressed his enthusiasm for leading the organization and continuing its vital mission of molding the future of the Air and Space Forces.
"I am deeply honored to lead the Jeanne M. Holm Center," Lay said. "We will remain steadfast in our commitment to cultivating exceptional leaders of character, infusing a warrior ethos, and preparing our graduates to win in high-end, contested environments."
Colonel Matthew Tipton, Deputy Commander of the Holm Center, rendered the unit's first salute to Brig. Gen. Lay, representing the organization’s formal acknowledgment of their new commander's authority.
The Air Force Accessions Center (AFAC), headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX officially activated Dec. 1, 2024, becoming the single command responsible for inspiring, recruiting and developing the next generation of Airmen and Guardians. AFAC was established as a new higher headquarters for the Air Force Recruiting Service at JBSA-Randolph and the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The Holm Center was previously a subordinate unit of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. This consolidation created a unified, streamlined pipeline to attract, assess and prepare talent for the Department of the Air Force, aligning missions and strengthening the overall accessions center.
The Jeanne M. Holm Center is the Air Force’s largest officer accession source, overseeing the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Officer Training School (OTS), Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC), and Warrant Officer Training School (WOTS).
For more information about Holm Center Programs, visit https://www.afaccessionscenter.af.mil/Holm-Center/Warrant-Officer-Program/WOTS/