Barksdale Airmen discover educational opportunities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Hundreds of Barksdale Airmen gather in classrooms on-base, off-base and on-line during their free-time to take advantage of the numerous education benefits available to them through the Air Force.

Taking classes to earn associates, bachelors and masters degrees from various educational institutions are a few of the educational opportunities available to Airmen. But one opportunity Airmen often forget about or neglect to take advantage of, is earning their Community College of the Air Force degree.

"You'd be amazed at how many Airmen with bachelors and masters degrees still don't have their CCAF," said Alejandro Vega, education services counselor. "They are unaware of how important earning an Air Force degree can be for their careers."

According to Vannie Thompson, educational technician, a CCAF is an important degree to have listed on resumes when applying for civilian jobs. Thompson remembers working with an Airman who discovered the importance of that degree later in her career. The Airman had already earned her masters and didn't feel she needed the CCAF. Luckily, she followed the advice she received from the education center and sent her transcripts in anyway. She later came back to thank Thompson.

"She was hired in her dream civilian job because she had a CCAF degree," Thompson said. "Having her master's wasn't the deciding factor in whether or not they would hire her. The head of human resources at that company just happened to be a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. He noticed the CCAF degree listed and she was invited for an interview."

Helping Airmen earn their CCAF degrees is only one of the services offered by the education center. Another service available to enlisted Airmen is the commissioning program.

Vega serves as head of the commissioning program here and takes pride in the positive results he has witnessed.

"We have the best commissioning numbers throughout the Air Force," he said. "Barksdale Airmen are interested in progressing in their careers and take whatever steps necessary to accomplish their goals."

Airmen interested in the commissioning program are invited to attend Vega's commissioning briefings in room 218 of the education center every first and third Wednesday of the month. The briefings introduce Airmen to all commissioning programs available to them.

Additional education services offered include career counseling for Airmen and their dependants, information on how the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9-11 bills work, and interest and skills exams to help Airmen decide which career path they are most passionate about.

The center has three counselors available to Airmen who want to discuss any of these topics. The counselors have seen the benefits of education for Airmen first-hand.

"It helps Airmen battle the changing times in our society and gives them an edge when competing with others for promotions," Vega said.

For more information on the services offered, or to schedule an appointment with the counselors, contact the education center at 456-2615.