Earning a CCAF degree Published May 24, 2016 By Lanette Hetrick 341st Force Support Squadron Education Specialist MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Survey after survey shows that the number one reason for entering the Air Force is the educational opportunities available. Not only can members receive the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill to use as veterans, but they can also receive $4,500 in tuition assistance every fiscal year while on active duty. The Community College of the Air Force provides an excellent way for enlisted members to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree related to their Air Force career. It can also be a stepping stone to higher level degrees, such as bachelor's and master's degrees. CCAF is the only college system solely dedicated to enlisted members and is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Regional accreditation is the highest accreditation given to colleges (the same type of accreditation given to Harvard University) and means that CCAF credits easily transfer to other colleges. CCAF is also an "applied" degree, meaning that it is a hands-on degree; not only does the recipient have the "book-smarts" to do the job, but they are also fully trained to enter the workforce in that field. There are many benefits to earning a CCAF degree that open doors to opportunities while serving in the military and in civilian life. 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 can earning a CCAF degree show supervisors and commanders that members are dedicated professionals and serious about career progression, it can also help them fill 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, a CCAF degree weighs heavily on promotion boards. For those who are planning to separate or retire, earning a CCAF associate's degree is an advantage over other job applicants without a degree. Most members have earned at least half of the 64 semester hour college credit requirement once graduating basic military training (4 SH), technical school (up to 24 SH), and awarded their 5-level through upgrade training (8 SH). CCAF also requires 6 SH of management; 15 SH of general education (one each of speech, English, math, social science, and humanities); and 15 SH of program electives, which is made up of any overflow credits of the degree. Once the CCAF degree is earned, it cannot be taken. The biggest thing to remember is if a member separates from the military and did not complete all the requirements prior to leaving, they cannot pursue or complete their CCAF degree. They still have their credits, but no degree. However, if all of the requirements have been met prior to separation or retirement, the member then has up to six years to be awarded the degree. Due to the base's unique mission, 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 without ever sitting in a classroom. CLEP and DSST by-pass testing is an awesome way to supplement or even complete the degree. There are close to 70 tests available, each one is free of charge (the first time), there is free study material at the base library and free practice tests online at nelnetsolutions.com/dod. Believe it or not, CCAF allows members to CLEP/DSST up to 30 semester hours, nearly half of the degree. These tests can be used for other undergraduate degrees as well. Some other options to earn college credits are online classes and correspondence courses available throughout the country. Both are actual college courses that award college credits and letter grades. Another way to earn college credit is through the General Education Mobile program. The CCAF has teamed up with 75 regionally-accredited colleges around the country 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. Additionally, the AU-ABC program is only available to those who have earned their CCAF degree and will be placed in an AU-ABC baccalaureate degree program as a junior, requiring only 60 additional college credits to earn one of 200 degrees. CCAF is an outstanding program that only the Air Force offers. Please call the Education and Training Center at 731-3531 or email us at education@malmstrom.af.mil for more information on how to get started or, most likely, how to finish a CCAF degree.