Education at Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chiyanna L. Maxwell
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Military members made the decision to join the world’s premiere fighting force for numerous reasons. Some join to serve their country, for job security, for travel opportunities or for education.

The base education center has everything necessary to pursue education goals. There are numerous programs and counselors who are available to help.

“The first thing we do is have our students go to a College 101 class,” said Lanette Hetrick, 341st Force Support Squadron education services specialist. “We offer the class every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. During the class, students are walked through their education benefits, tuition assistance and the Community College of the Air Force degree program.”

Once that class is complete, students can then begin the official process of enrolling in a course, utilizing the tuition assistance benefit offered to service members.

A student may attend either Park University, the on-base campus in the education center, local schools including University of Great Falls, Montana State University, or any school that offers online classes through correspondence.

Students have the option to participate in a classroom environment or take their classes online. They can even earn credit for some classes through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) program.

Both programs give students a chance to earn college credit for what they already know and have learned outside of the traditional classroom setting, just by taking and passing an exam.

“I took Principles of Supervisions and Organizational Behavior,” said Senior Airman Olivia Cantos, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical team technician. “I took both DSSTs to complete the leadership portion of my CCAF degree.”

The education center’s goal is to make sure students are well-prepared by providing testing information and study guides.

“The sheet of paper the education center gives you that lists different classes you can take also tells you the passing rates of each class helps immensely, “ said Cantos. “There are also websites to study and print-off study guides. I just used those and passed both exams on the first try.”

The education center aims to provide Airmen the necessary tools for a successful future.

“Education is extremely important because it can increase your success in the military and civilian world,” said Cantos.