KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- For the price of books, Airmen can earn a degree. The education center here is a stepping stone for educational needs.
Pursuing a degree at any level requires a significant investment in time and perhaps money too. The place to start is with the question, "What do I want to do as a profession?" Then follow up with a little research to find out what type of education is required to enter that profession. The research should focus on what schools are available for study in that subject area. For the next step, apply to one of those schools and, with acceptance, begin the education journey.
"If you are interested in a particular career, talk to people in that career field," said Richard Todd, 8th Force Support Squadron education and training section chief. "Ask them about their education background and how it helped them."
The education center offers Airmen counseling assistance for the Community College of the Air Force degree, as well as course selection, tuition assistance and other information on education benefits available to active duty members. For assistance in educational needs, contact the education office at 782-5148 or go to Building 1051.
Additionally, education provides upward mobility both in the civilian world and the military. In the Air Force, a senior level endorsement on enlisted performance reports for master sergeants requires a CCAF degree.
"Perhaps the most tangible benefit is the increased earning potential over a lifetime which equates to a greater ability to provide for oneself and family," said Mr. Todd. "A person who earns a bachelor's degree can expect to earn $1 million more than one who earned only a high school diploma."
There are many benefits to completing a degree just as there are many ways to obtain the degree. These ways are credit by examination, online and on-campus courses.
Credit by examination is more commonly known as college level examination program, or CLEP, and defense activity for nontraditional education support, or DANTES. Credit by examination is taking a test on previous knowledge for college credit. The benefits of taking exams for credit are cost savings in tuition, books and fees and a huge saving of time. Students are able to get a full semester's worth of credit after sitting for a couple of hours of exam time.
Online or distance learning courses are courses through which the instruction is delivered completely through the internet. The course may feature video lectures, discussion bulletin boards where students post comments on lectures or discussion questions, and then electronic submission of assignments. Standard textbooks and workbooks are still required in general with online courses. The primary benefit of taking an online course is that as long as students work within the timeline of assignment due dates, they make the course fit their schedule. Airmen work swing shift and can't take face-to-face evening courses, no problem; the online course is there when they are ready.
"Upon arrival, I actually took a mixture of both on location and distance learning courses," said Tech. Sgt. Vernon Jackson, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron. "I am currently taking only distance learning courses due to a combination of factors: required courses are not available at location, I have an increase in the workload and the opportunity to self-pace."
On-campus courses, whether taught on a military base at the education center or on an actual college campus, are courses taught in the traditional form with an in-classroom instructor. On-campus courses provide the opportunity for immediate interaction with the instructor and fellow classmates.
Mr. Todd also added that for some, the value that interpersonal contact adds is the critical link in the learning process through the exchange of ideas and dialogue. For others, the benefit is more of a comfort factor. Even though it is generally not a matter of whether they are computer savvy or not, some people just prefer learning in the face-to-face environment of on-campus course.
"Interaction with the teacher is what I like," said Staff Sgt. Sidney Chatman, 8th Medical Operations Squadron. "When I have a question, I want it answered immediately. I don't want to e-mail the teacher and wait for a response."
No matter what degree you're going for or how you plan to get there, education is still knowledge gained.
"It's not what you learn, it's how you learn," said Col. Rob Givens, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "As Airmen, we need to know how to learn; smarter Airmen, educated Airmen think better. "We have many challenges at the Wolf Pack. The only way we solve the challenges we face is to think better."