News

College education opportunities for military members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  To many people college education has traditionally been thought of as a full time endeavor at a fixed location, something not readily available to military members with jobs and unexpected moves.

However opportunities to improve academically while maintaining military responsibilities abound for those in the Air Force who seek to excel.

Every member of the Air Force who has received their first duty assignment is already on their way towards their degree, said Edward Hodge, 14th Flying Training Wing chief of education and training sections.

Upon completing many types of military education such as basic training, technical school, and many other types of professional military education college credits are automatically added with the Community College of the Air Force.

Undergraduate level credit hours can also be added towards a degree without taking any classes at all.

"In lieu of taking a course military members can take college level exams that if they pass can obtain college credits to the CCAF or civilian colleges," Mr. Hodge.

He continued that the education center offers 71 test titles covering a variety of subjects including math, social sciences, and humanities that are all free for military members the first time the each test is taken.

"One great thing about being in the Air Force is that you often find colleges that operate on base," said Mr. Hodge. "Here at Columbus (AFB) we have three colleges that offer classes on base. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Saint Leo University, and East Mississippi Community College."

Mr. Hodge said that classes on base are sometimes available outside of normal duty hours for those who work during the day, and some ambitious students combine their lunch breaks with a short class.

For Airmen who work shifting hours and may not be able to consistently attend classes at a specific time, Mr. Hodge suggested online courses which can be as flexible as the Airman needs them to be.

Mr. Hodge said that in addition to scheduling flexibility, online courses also provide a greater range of flexibility with location. This allows Airmen who become or are on temporary duty or deployed to continue their classes as they fulfill their military duties.

"I have been in education services since 2001, and have never found somebody who has not been able to take college courses because of their Air Force job," said Mr. Hodge.

Aside from personal development, new doors can be opened by completing degrees and learning new things. Mr. Hodge noted that for enlisted promotions to senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant requires a CCAF degree, and a bachelor's degree can open up commissioning opportunities. For officers master's degrees are highly encouraged for promotions to major and above. Assignments under heavy competition sometimes also are decided by a service member's degree.

"When applying for some special duty assignments such as First Sergeant duty or professional military education teaching assignments having your associate's degree, CCAF degree or being within 12 months of getting your CCAF degree is strongly suggested," explained Staff Sergeant Latrice Harris, 14th Force Support Squadron NCOIC of career management.