Initiative strives to boost number of CCAF graduates Published Jan. 3, 2011 By John Scaggs Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- In an attempt to increase the number of Community College of the Air Force graduates on Air Force Materiel Command bases, command officials rolled out a plan entitled "Year of the Community College of the Air Force" Jan. 1. Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, addressed the importance of the campaign in a Commander's Log. In that column, the general indicated that AFMC's Year of the Community College of the Air Force, or YoCCAF, will emphasize the need for enlisted Airmen to earn college degrees, specifically a CCAF degree. "Formal education after high school is a path to promotion and personal development for enlisted Airmen and a commodity highly valued in all Air Force members," wrote General Hoffman. "Even the wisest mind has something more to learn." The general's CC Log stated that 24 percent of AFMC's enlisted Airmen have a CCAF degree. The command's goal is to increase that number by 10 percent in 2011. Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, AFMC command chief, added that the YoCCAF campaign could increase CCAF degree completions to 50 percent of eligible Airmen over the next three years. "We plan to accomplish this through a strategic communication plan featuring aggressive marketing and peer mentoring," Chief Jaren said. "During 2011 we also will launch a 12-part series of articles called 'My Education Journey' to showcase stories of Airmen completing their education." As AFMC's top enlisted member, Chief Jaren will provide program guidance. His headquarters AFMC cohort is Shelly Owczarski, who is Chief, Voluntary Education/Library Programs within the Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate. According to Ms. Owczarski, each AFMC base will set up a program committee to identify eligible Airmen, pair them with mentors and track progress. Bases will also appoint Secretaries of Education, who will work with their education office and disseminate information to mentors. "Mentors are people with a passion for developing Airmen and who already have a CCAF degree or higher," Ms. Owczarski said. "Mentors will be on the front lines, so to speak, encouraging 'mentees' to complete their CCAF degree through a combination of peer monitoring and education office counseling." Eglin's 96th Air Base Wing and 46th Test Wing each have newly appointed Secretaries of Education - Master Sgt.s Onre Talbert and Alex Cole. The program focuses on Airmen who have completed their career development courses and are in the grades of E-4 through E-7. Many Airmen in this group have earned 45 semester hours or more of college credit. "Our databases indicate that a lot of people are within 15-30 hours of graduating, due to credits accumulated by completing basic training and technical school," Ms. Owczarski said. "In many cases, all that is required are completion of the general education classes, some of which Airmen can fulfill by passing a College Level Examination Program, or CLEP, test ... which is free." That is exactly where 2nd Lt. Jeremy Griffin, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, found himself in 2003. After attending Airman Leadership School, he discovered he only needed six classes to complete his CCAF. He CLEPed five of them. After he earned his CCAF, he continued his education earning his bachelors degree in 2007. Two years later, he was selected for Officer Training School. "Completing my degree and getting back into the classroom made me realize what going back to school was - a small sacrifice of time that paid off in the long run," said the lieutenant. "If it wasn't for having my CCAF, I never would've had the advanced training in my career field or given opportunities by my chain of command that led to higher education and now being an officer in the Air Force. I am a huge advocate for the Community College of the Air Force and I'm constantly urging the individuals I work with to get it and tell them 'if I can do it, anyone can.'" As for costs associated with pursuing a CCAF degree, Airmen can take advantage of the Air Force Tuition Assistance program when enrolling for courses online through the Air Force's Virtual Education Center. Additionally, book repositories or other programs exist at some AFMC bases to minimize or eliminate textbook costs. The chief said he expects the program to pay dividends now and in the future. "It's important for the enlisted force to understand that a CCAF degree will help them in numerous ways," he continued. "A CCAF degree not only enhances personal and professional growth, it also increases opportunities for special duty and promotion. Education prepares Airmen to meet current and future leadership, managerial and technological challenges within their career fields and while also making them better NCOs and supervisors. "In 2011, it's time for all levels of leadership, supervisors and those who have agreed to serve as mentors to become more involved in the educational growth of our Airmen," Chief Jaren said. "It's a win-win for them and for the Air Force."