Community College of the Air Force: Graduates announced Published Oct. 20, 2011 By Wanda Hale 341st Force Support Squadron Education Technician MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Community College of the Air Force is an outstanding way for enlisted members to earn an associate of applied science degree related to the career field they perform while serving in the Air Force. CCAF is the only college system solely for enlisted members and is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges. Regional accreditation is the highest accreditation given to colleges, and SACS is one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States. An AAS is a hands-on degree; not only does the recipient have the "book-smarts" to do the job, but is also fully trained to directly enter the workforce in that field. There are many benefits to earning the CCAF degree and not one reason not to. CCAF programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and theoretical background to improve performance as technicians and noncommissioned officers. Pursuing and earning this degree is also an important career move. Not only does earning the CCAF show supervisors and commanders that members are dedicated professionals and serious about career progression, it also helps them select work assignments, supervisory positions and leadership roles. Applying for special-duty assignments normally requires a CCAF degree as well. If members are planning to make the Air Force a career, the CCAF degree weighs heavily on promotion boards. For those who are planning to separate/retire, earning the CCAF associate's degree is an advantage over other job applicants without a degree. Most members have earned at least half of the 64 credits requirement after graduating Basic Training, Technical School and being awarded their 5-level. CCAF allows members to by-pass tests up to 30 semester hours; that is almost half of the degree. Many members are unable to complete classes in a classroom setting due to work schedules, deployments and TDYs. Don't fret; there are many ways to complete this degree. Besides CLEP and DSST by-pass testing, there are online classes and correspondence courses. Both are actual college courses that award college credits and letter grades. Another way to earn college credits is through a program called General Education Mobile, where CCAF has teamed up with 25 colleges to offer "clustered" freshman/sophomore level courses through a web-based platform to complete the five general education areas required to earn the CCAF degree. Information can be found on the Air Force Virtual Education Center under GEM and incorporates many of the innovative features of the successful Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative, to include registration, course enrollment, tuition assistance and CCAF transcript ordering processes. There will be more information on GEM and AU-ABC next month. The biggest thing to remember is that once a member separates from the military but did not complete all the requirements prior to leaving, unfortunately, they cannot pursue or complete their CCAF degree. If all of the requirements have been met prior to separation/retirement, the member then has up to six years to be awarded the degree. Call the Education and Training Center at 731-3531 for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRADUATES: The following individuals received their CCAF degrees during a recognition ceremony at the base theater Oct. 19: From the 10th Missile Squadron Staff Sgt. Phillip Owens, Criminal Justice From the 40th Helicopter Squadron Staff Sgt. Kyle Meck, Aviation Operations From the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron Tech. Sgt. John Honeysett, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Bradley, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Staff Sgt. Taylor Hydrick, Fire Science Staff Sgt. Mitchell Thaxton, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Airman 1st Class Alexander Stinefast, Mechanical and Electrical Technology From the 341st Comptroller Squadron Senior Airman Willie Hogan, Financial Management From the 341st Contracting Squadron Staff Sgt. Marshavia Clark, Information Management and Contracts Management From the 341st Force Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Hayley Adams, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management Staff Sgt. Michael Fellows, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management Staff Sgt. Robert Lysholm, Fire Science From the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron Staff Sgt. Chad Hesler, Vehicle Maintenance From the 341st Maintenance Group Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Karr, Electronic Systems Technology Staff Sgt. Jessica Glover, Information Management From the 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron Master Sgt. Kenneth Williams, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Staff Sgt. Robert Jovin, Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Staff Sgt. William Overstreet, Mechanical and Electrical Technology From the 341st Medical Group Tech. Sgt. Noelle Hohnecker, Human Resource Management From the 341st Medical Operations Squadron Master Sgt. Todd Beal, Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology and Criminal Justice Tech. Sgt. Christina Zabel, Allied Health Sciences Staff Sgt. Scott Labonte, Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology Senior Airman Richard Frank, Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology Senior Airman Katiusca Ogando-Nivar, Allied Health Sciences Senior Airman Michelle Smith, Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology From the 341st Medical Support Squadron Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Coleman, Health Care Management Tech. Sgt. Keith Stolberg, Logistics Staff Sgt. Mary Ann Pastron, Health Care Management Senior Airman Adam Rideaux, Health Care Management From the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron Tech. Sgt. Nathan Greene, Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Tech. Sgt. Brian Rayner, Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Staff Sgt. Joseph Pineda, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Senior Airman Stephen Sartini, Missile and Space Systems Maintenance From the 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron Master Sgt. Anthony Formell, Criminal Justice Master Sgt. Michael Howard, Criminal Justice Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Ehlert, Criminal Justice Tech. Sgt. Eric Mamac, Criminal Justice Tech. Sgt. Marvin Skinner, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Paul Lamelin, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Scott Miles, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Branden Tanaka, Criminal Justice Senior Airman Eric Jackson, Criminal Justice Airman 1st Class Jefthe Lamy, Criminal Justice From the 341st Missile Wing Tech. Sgt. Joseph Gandolfi, Mechanical and Electrical Technology From the 341st Operations Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Erick Dunn, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management Staff Sgt. Michael Stordeur, Human Resource Management Staff Sgt. Amanda Whiting, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management From the 341st Security Forces Group Tech. Sgt. Gary Marone, Criminal Justice Senior Airman Nicholas Burkey, Criminal Justice Senior Airman Austin Hopson, Criminal Justice From the 341st Security Forces Squadron Master Sgt. William Stevens, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Lindsay Johnsey, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Lowrey, Criminal Justice From the 341st Security Support Squadron Master Sgt. David Foscue, Criminal Justice Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilson, Criminal Justice Senior Airman Marcus Martinez, Criminal Justice From the 490th Missile Squadron Master Sgt. Pamela Johns, Logistics Master Sgt. Jimmy Sonefelt, Mechanical and Electrical Technology From the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron Staff Sgt. Aaron Payne, Criminal Justice Airman 1st Class Matthew Davis, Criminal Justice Airman 1st Class Trey Stone, Criminal Justice From the 819th RED HORSE Squadron Master Sgt. William Brooks, Vehicle Maintenance Master Sgt. Simon Wess, Construction Technology Tech. Sgt. Henry Ayala, Construction Technology Tech. Sgt. Ryan Brown, Human Resource Management and Construction Technology Tech. Sgt. Patrick Stewart, Construction Technology Tech. Sgt. Dana Thompson, Allied Health Sciences Staff Sgt. Cara Crump, Logistics Staff Sgt. Philip Jenkins, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Senior Airman Alberto Alcantar, Construction Technology Airman 1st Class Sean Hjortedal, Construction Technology From the Air Force Legal Operations Agency Tech. Sgt. Michelle Talarek, Paralegal