2012 brings education service changes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb WIng Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Effective Jan. 3, Base Training and Education Services customer service front desk operations are open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In February, BTES will cease all front desk operations.

"Due to recent downsizing, BTES has found it necessary to implement certain changes in order to continue providing the best education services possible," said Alex Vega, Education Services specialist. "We are diligently working on a process to allow individuals to request appointments in the future via e-mail."

Vega said there will no longer be walk-in hours for counseling. Mass tuition assistance briefings will be held Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. in Room 218 of the BTES center for individuals who have received TA before. Individuals who have never received a TA briefing or need Community College of the Air Force counseling will be required to make an appointment with a counselor.

"Because of the budgetary draw-downs, we can no longer provide certain services," said Darlene Linton, Chief of Base Training and Education Services. "We have two contractors whose job is counseling, so customer service is going away permanently."

The counselors are encouraging Airmen to update their information in the Air Force Virtual Education Center website prior to their appointment or briefing. AFVEC is located on the Air Force Portal under Top Viewed: Force Development.

"We will provide the services we can, but it is important to plan ahead," said Linton. "Your education is important to us and we will continue to assist in every way possible."

Below are steps to attain an appointment with an education counselor:
1. Access the appointment available listing on https://barksdale.eim.acc.af.mil/2BW/2msg/2fss/default.aspx.
2. On the left side, under Flight/FSDE click BTES Counselor's Available Appointment.
3. Select preferred and alternate date/time and write "counseling appointment request and last name" in the subject line and mail to education.services@barksdale.af.mil.
4. One of the counselors will send you an e-mail confirmation of your requested appointment date/time.
5. For BTES quick reference information, click BTES Quick Reference Folder.