CCAF Grads Honored at Base Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
  • 185ARW Wing PA
Sioux City, IA --  

As students from around the area return to school for the spring semester, 17 members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), in Sioux City, IA participated in a graduation ceremony. The Iowa ANG Airmen were honored for completing their Associates Degrees in 2013, through the Community College of the Air Force.  Each graduate also received the Iowa National Guard Commendation Medal for their efforts.

The Community College of the Air Force provides a two-year college degree program to enlisted members of Air Force and the Air National Guard. Members of the 185th often come to the Air Guard with at least some college; the CCAF program allows students to transfer those credits earned from traditional schooling, as well as credits they have earned while completing technical training provided by the Air Force towards their CCAF degree.

While everyone's situations are different, unit members often find they need only complete a few additional courses to receive their Associates Degree through the CCAF. Upon course completion many unit members also chose to go on to an area college in order to complete their Bachelor's Degree.

At the ceremony participants received diplomas in a variety of degree programs including Aviation studies, like Maintenance, Safety, Logistics and Electrical Systems; however others were awarded more traditional degrees in areas of Criminal Justice, Construction, Financial Management as well as course work in Information Technology. To date the Community College of the Air Force, with its more than 300,000 graduates boasts that it is the world's largest community college. The Air Force is also the only branch of the U.S. Armed Services who has their own Community College.

Members of the 185th ARW who are interested in completing their Associates Degree can start by contacting the Base Education and Training Office or check out the CCAF website.

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