Official Site of the U.S. Air Force   Right Corner Banner
Join the Air Force

News > Operation CCAF Blitz targets technical sergeants
 
Photos 
Operation CCAF Blitz targets technical sergeants
The ongoing Operation CCAF Blitz campaign encourages technical sergeants to earn their Community College of the Air Force associate's degree so they can have the senior rater endorsement on enlisted performance reports. Education center officials provide many resources for helping them finish their associate's degree, including College Level Examination Program tests and on-base classes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)
Download HiRes
Operation CCAF Blitz targets technical sergeants

Posted 1/5/2011 Email story   Print story

    


by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
23rd Wing Public Affairs


1/5/2011 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- With the implementation of a new initiative, 23rd Force Support Squadron education center officials here are making an effort to increase the number of Airmen eligible for senior-rater endorsement on enlisted performance reports.

Operation CCAF Blitz will be carried out in three phases and encourages all technical sergeants to earn their Community College of the Air Force associate's degree so they can have the endorsement.

"The Air Combat Command enlisted force development working group created Engage CCAF as a priority, but we took the initiative a step further," said Russell Mitchell, a 23rd FSS education center service specialist. "Through Operation CCAF Blitz, we hope to get the word out so all technical sergeants are aware by February 2011 of the requirement for the degree."

Phase one was completed through briefings that highlighted the requirements for earning a CCAF degree and how to accomplish it.

"There are about 450 technical sergeants we are looking at to help them finish their degrees," Mr. Mitchell said. "The CCAF requires 64 semester hours and many of the individuals only need five classes to accomplish the requirements."

A few of the individuals on the list may have a bachelor's or associate's degree, but not from the CCAF.

One technical sergeant from the 23rd Medical Support Squadron is only two classes away from achieving his degree.

"I plan on taking (College Level Examination Program) tests for the two remaining subjects, and then I'll have completed all the requirements," said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Ross, the 23rd Medical Support Squadron unit deployment manager. "It's good for noncommissioned officers to get their education so they can be an example to younger Airmen."

Phase two entails education center officials individually contacting each person on the list to set up an appointment to discuss their degree progress, part of which includes emphasizing resources, such as the CLEP for degree completion, officials said.

After the first two phases are complete, phase three will be implemented, education center officials will become even more involved.

"Successfully carrying out the final phase will require assistance from senior leadership," Mr. Mitchell said. "We understand it can be difficult for some people to leave their work centers to attend briefings, so phase three allows us to come into squadrons to conduct briefings and personalized interviews."

Currently, about 35 percent of technical sergeants within ACC have their CCAF degree, compared to 42 percent Air Force wide. ACC's goal is for 50 percent of them to have their degree before senior NCO promotion eligibility.



tabComments
1/7/2011 11:45:27 PM ET
Only in the Air Force will someone be denied a promotion because they have a graduate degree but not an associate degree.
Sgt Whoever, conus
 
1/7/2011 5:06:17 AM ET
This is too long in coming. I was amazed at the demographics of enlisted CCAF degree holders. Still below 20 percent. Access to college courses and testing is better than when I completed mine. As for those with a bachelor's, CCAF can be attained by just transferring credit. As Michael said, bachelor's is a minimum in the outside world. We should be keeping up with our applicable civilian peers. We've seen it for years that a CCAF is required for any SNCO package to be looked at. I have yet to hear a good enough reason why someone can't go to school.
Sean, Germany
 
1/6/2011 10:19:49 PM ET
You can feel that a CCAF does nothing for you but give you a block to fill on an EPR, or you can feel that a CCAF is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you. The bottom line is that this is a must for career progression, and if you want that Senior Rater Endorsement you need to get your CCAF. I do agree that it would be nice for Air University to offer more programs, but right now this is not the current intent. As an A1C, I tutored two MSgts in Alegbra when I got to my first assignment. I have always been a math person, and it was still fresh in my head, since I had only graduated high school a few years prior. It was hard, because these two individuals had not looked at any type of math problems since they graduated high school 17-18 years prior. The point I am trying to make is knock out your CCAF early on, because the older you get and longer you wait to take classes, the easier it will be to forget things like math.
Eric, Osan
 
1/6/2011 1:24:36 PM ET
A CCAF is critical for every airman. Education is key in shaping our force and making it stronger. Good on the AF for pushing this. Even if its lost on many hopefully most will get on board.
John, USA
 
1/6/2011 1:05:24 PM ET
While this is all well and good, I got my CCAF in Criminal Justice in 2000 and it did nothing for me other than fill a block on my EPR. The comment above stating that some tech sgts on the list may have a bachelor's or associate's degree but not from the CCAF seems to show that for these people the leadership is trying to force-fit the CCAF into a block that is already filled. Air University needs to start looking at programs that will make a degree more competitive in the civilian world. The Bachelor's Degree is now the baseline instead of a high school degree for most professional employers. My job now requires a Bachelor's Degree just to be invited for further consideration and an MBA to be truly competitive. Long gone are the days when an Associate's Degree put you on the short list and the USAF needs to grow and be on the leading edge, not stuck in the 80s.
Michael, Albuquerque NM
 
1/5/2011 10:16:44 PM ET
NCOs should take the time to prepare themselves. Just like promotion testing it is an individual responsibility to get your CCAF done just like PME it is a requirement. Supervisors should support off-duty education as it further enhances the NCO corps, although I have seen it abused in the past where people are full-time students and work was secondary to school work. With all the advances in on-line schools there should be no excuses not to get it done.
MG, PACAF
 
Add a comment

 Inside AF.mil

ima cornerSearch

tabSubscribe AF.MIL
tabMore HeadlinesRSS feed 
New training facility opens in Wyoming

Solar power lights up Southwest Asia

Separate paths bring brothers together for Christmas  1

All I want for Christmas ... Daddy!

Osan community brightens holidays for Korean orphans  |  VIDEO

Deployed Airman receives Christmas phone call from President Obama

Air Force Week in Photos

Premier AF concert band 'wows' fellow musicians at Midwest Clinic  11

Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one  10

Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

Space Fence program moves forward  1

Kunsan AB, Hurlburt Field Airmen unite to spread holiday cheer

Operation Christmas Drop  1

Air Force Week in Photos

tabCommentaryRSS feed 
Legacy of valor  1

There IS an I in team  3


Site Map      Contact Us     Questions     Security and Privacy notice     E-publishing