Take advantage of education benefits

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Koenig
  • Directorate of Assignments
DENVER --  Have your leaders been on you to get your Community College of the Air Force  associate degree or to work towards that bachelor's degree?
 
Back in the "good old days," degrees were not emphasized and were not as important as they are now, especially in an enlisted person's career. Your future growth was not determined by having your CCAF degree or not. 

But things have changed, and now your future depends on advanced education. If your dreams are to become a senior NCO, or if you are one, you MUST have a CCAF degree to get a senior rater endorsement on your evaluation. 

What are your plans if you leave the Air Force and go into the civilian sector? Will you get hired into that job you want or get paid what you deserve if you don't have a degree? 
Possibly, but the chances are greater with a degree. 

So, are you asking yourself, "How do I get a degree when I'm working all the time?" Or are you telling yourself, "I have outside obligations -- family and other responsibilities. I just don't have the time or money." 

Well, I said those things to myself, and decided I had to make the time. With tuition assistance, my out-of-pocket expenses are minimal. 

I have taken advantage of the College Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support. These are offered at the education center and are free. 

Because of my busy schedule, I have been taking courses online, which are free with tuition assistance. Now, I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Is it easy? Heck no! Is it rewarding? Absolutely! 

I have received two CCAF degrees (one for each career field that I served in) and am four classes away from receiving my bachelor's degree. 

Am I doing it strictly for the senior rater endorsement on my EPR? No, I'm doing it for me and the benefits that I will reap once I am done. 

There are so many options right now in taking classes, and the Air Force is the only service to have an accredited two-year college that offers an associate degree. 

With your education that you received in your Air Force specialty by attending technical school, taking career development courses and some CLEPS/DANTES, you can earn that degree from CCAF. 

The Air Force also has the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program, which is an initiative between Air University and civilian higher-education institutions to offer bachelor's degree opportunities to every Air Force enlisted member. 

AU-ABC assists Airmen with completed associate degrees to attend a variety of accredited "Air Force friendly" colleges and universities.
 
Tuition assistance is 100 percent, so all you have to pay for are books. And, if you're a technical sergeant or below, our Top 3 offers an education grant, which can help offset that cost. For more information go to https://wwwmil.arpc.afrc.af.mil/military/top3/default.htm.