Enlisted Airmen advance themselves with CCAF degrees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Beaux Hebert
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Fifty-five Airmen graduated from the Community College of the Air Force during a ceremony here May 18, 2017.

Master Sgt. Carmina Beedle, 14th Operations Support Squadron Superintendent, was the master of ceremonies and thanked the friends and family for attending after the national anthem and the invocation by Chaplain (Capt.) Tara Dixon.

Beedle read the history of the CCAF and told the audience how it has 300,000 Airmen enrolled in the program, the largest community college in the U.S.

Senior Master Sgt. Wade Steinback, 14th Flying Training Wing Maintenance Authority Superintendent, was the keynote speaker at the graduation and gave the graduates a few pieces of advice to take with them as they progress through the ranks.

Steinback first recognized how much effort the Airmen have put in.

“It is encouraging to see that you took the time out of your busy lives to better yourselves,” he said.

The first word of advice was short, but covered an important part of juggling work and school.

“You’ve got to make time to have time,” Steinback said. “If you don’t make time, you’ll never have the time for it.”

The second word of advice was to continue to further their education. Steinback said to not take breaks between classes or degrees. He said if they stop, they will fall into a rut of putting it off.

“Take this and enjoy it for the moment,” Steinback said, “then come up with a plan for what you’re going to do next.”

The final word of advice was to appreciate what you have learned from the degree. He said the small skills like PowerPoint will serve them as they rank up. Not only did they learn from their technical school, Career Development Courses and on-the-job training, but their degrees taught them advanced math, science and English skills which will unknowingly help them later on.

After Steinback’s speech, Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, said a few words to the graduates.

“This is a super important milestone in your career and today we get to recognize that second tenant of our mission to Produce Pilots, Advance Airmen and Feed the Fight,” Gosney said. “You have taken the advantage of a tremendous opportunity afforded to you by the Air Force to better yourself personally and professionally.”