Airmen accomplish goals in education

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Obtaining an education is an important goal for many Airmen and for some, April 30 was a day to recognize that they had achieved their goal.
Forty-two Icemen walked in front of more than 150 guests to accept their Community College of the Air Force degree; only a portion of the 114 that graduated here recently.
While the annual ceremony can include college graduates, this year's ceremony was exclusively for CCAF graduates.

"Folks have told me this is one of the largest CCAF graduations they've seen with 42 participants and around 150 guests supporting the graduates," said Teal Hart, the 354th Force Support Squadron chief, education and training.

The CCAF degree programs of study are centered on an Airman's AFSC and there are five broad categories. The five categories including Aircraft and Missile Maintenance, Allied Health, Electronics and Telecommunications, Logistics and Resources, Public and Support Services.

"It's an accomplishment and you see the rewards of that accomplishment," said Mr. Hart. "There were a couple graduates that received two degrees at the same time at the graduation. There were some that were receiving their third degree."

The education process can often be overwhelming - choosing a school, a degree program and finding something that works with an Airman's schedule. The goal is to get students to self manage their educational careers.

According to Mr. Hart, getting your CCAF degree is a stepping stone to a bigger program.

"Taking classes helps by allowing students to set goals which helps with leadership and social skills as well. It really helps in a variety of aspects," said Senior Airman Raven Taylor, 354th Medical Group primary care technician and recent graduate who was awarded two scholarships for graduates who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Getting a CCAF degree may seem pointless to those who may not want to do the same job when they get out of the Air Force.

"That's fine but it does show an employer that you've completed a program and that does carry some weight in an interview process. It shows you've taken steps to furthering your career and moving forward," said Mr. Hart.

Starting school is a choice every person has to make themselves and the education center should be their first stop for information. According to Mr. Hart, visiting the education center and making sure an account is updated to request tuition assistance and in turn take classes.

"The education office gives briefings to different groups like the First Term Airman Center. The Air Force Automated Education Management System is a self-managing system that allows Airmen to request Tuition Assistance and have the government pay for the classes they take. Not knowing how to use the system can create hurdles in the process," said Mr. Hart.

Every active-duty servicemember on base is covered by the Air Force for 100 percent of their tuition costs, yet many Airmen forego this generous benefit.

"If doesn't matter if there are not enough hours in the day, it'll pay off when you retire. The time is there if you just do it," said Staff Sgt. Kathryn Jolly, 354th Force Support Squadron assistant NCOIC of installation personnel readiness and CCAF graduate.