Got CCAF?

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Ludwig
  • 8th Fighter Wing command chief
Have you ever heard the motto “the foundation of liberty is knowledge?” I hope you have, for this is the motto of the Community College of the Air Force, or CCAF.

Truer words were never spoken. Our pursuit of knowledge -- along with life and work experiences -- provides all that’s necessary for us to unleash our talent, better develop our Airmen, execute our missions, command the future and ensure all are safe in doing so. Your pursuit of knowledge needs to start with earning a CCAF degree.

As early as 1972, our Air Force leaders envisioned that Air Force enlisted Airmen would need improved educational programs to meet technological and leadership challenges. The result of this vision enabled CCAF to provide educational opportunities for us to combine technical training with general education course work from civilian-accredited colleges.

CCAF offers 66 degree programs in five general areas and has conferred more than 258,000 associate in applied science degrees. CCAF is the largest community college in the world and is the only community college in the Department of Defense.

Why a CCAF degree? Many of us came into the Air Force because we wanted to do something better with our lives as we serve our country. A CCAF degree enables you to do just that. A CCAF degree has value -- value for you and our Air Force.

CCAF allows us an opportunity to pursue our educational goals at the same time we serve. Our Air Force has long recognized the value of the enlisted Airmen, while also recognizing the growing and more demanding technical, managerial and leadership challenges we face with every mission.

So, what can be better than CCAF? It links Air Force technical training and expertise with collegiate general education requirements. The result: a nationally recognized education program that formally prepares you for career and life.

What will happen if you don’t have a CCAF degree? Nothing. And I do mean nothing!

More than 82 percent of eligible regular Air Force enlisted Airmen are enrolled in CCAF. The Air National Guard nears 93 percent enrollment and Air Force Reserve Command has 88 percent.

Starting to feel like you’re missing something if you are not enrolled in CCAF? You are! You are limiting our Air Force capabilities and more importantly, you are limiting yourself.

You can probably list pages of excuses as to why you haven’t enrolled in or completed your CCAF degree. Excuses don’t get the job done and tend to multiply the longer you delay. The time you invest in a CCAF education is an investment in yourself, your future and even your family.

So, how do you start this investment … this educational journey? Put down the remote and check out the CCAF on-line catalog and call the base education office.

You’ve got to want to complete your education. I believe a CCAF education directly correlates to leadership and better-prepared leaders.

I encourage our senior enlisted leaders to challenge our young enlisted Airmen to have their CCAF degree complete by the end of their first enlistment, encourage our junior noncommissioned officers to complete within the next year, and for senior NCOs … there is just no excuse not to have your CCAF.

Our Air Force promotes individuals with the potential to succeed at the next higher grade, so leave no doubt about your potential by having your CCAF degree complete.

Also, please don’t spread the “notions” among our enlisted Airmen that, “We’re not officers and don’t need a degree to get promoted” or “I didn’t need a degree to enlist.” Usually I hear this from those who just don’t want to take the time to improve and educate themselves.

Agreed, there is no degree requirement to enlist in our Air Force. However, all things being equal between two enlisted members, I’ll recommend the enlisted Airmen with their CCAF degree every time. Why? I know they are better prepared, more technically competent and have improved problem-solving skills.

Still wondering about the CCAF value for you and our Air Force? For you: better self-esteem, improved job performance, an achieved personal goal, basis for your academic future and credibility in the civilian job market. For our Air Force: a better leader, a more critical thinker and analyst and robust competence. Not only did you enhance your competence but you’ll enhance the competence of your fellow enlisted members for now you have the “smarts” to better prepare them for task and mission.

We live in a fast-paced and evolving society along with the increasing demands of our profession of arms. The secret to your success and ultimately the success of our Air Force is an education -- and a CCAF education!

Got CCAF?