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10 receive Associate Degrees from CCAF in Spring Ceremony

  • Published
  • By MSgt Lisa Haun
  • 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MANSFIELD, Ohio -- --  179th Airlift Wing members showed their support to airmen receiving their degrees, this spring, from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) by attending the commencement ceremony on April 12, 2015. The keynote speaker for the presentation was the Superintendent of Mansfield city schools, Mr. Brian Garverick and 2nd Lt. Tim Gribble was the MC.

Today, roughly 24 percent of the enlisted members, hold associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and now the degree is required for promotion to Senior Master Sgt. and higher. The Associate of Applied Science (AS) degrees that were conferred during the ceremony represent more than just hard work. They also represent a quest for excellence, a commitment to life-long learning, and a competitive edge in the professional and personal lives of those who earned them.

Air Force members start receiving credits towards the AS degree when they start technical skills training. 64 credits are required to graduate and most of the credits are received by achieving a 5 skill level in your career and doing Professional Military Education (PME) courses like Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA). An additional 15 credits are required on personal time, from civilian colleges in humanities, social science, writing, speech and math. Airmen can also earn credits by taking the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. The standardized CLEP tests offered by the College Board let students earn college credit based on what they already know.

The Air Force puts a huge value on education and takes pride in an educated force. An AS degree from CCAF will benefit all enlisted members in this career and the next. This degree is not the end, it's just a beginning. Congratulations to all enlisted members on their graduation this year.