Deployed education center strengthens the mind

Published Nov. 27, 2013
By Master Sgt. David Miller
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Approximately four hundred service members come to the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron education center on a weekly basis looking for guidance, advice and clarity on how to meet education goals while deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here.

With a staff of five service members and three university representatives to help service members meet educational goals, the staff stays busy.

"We provide individual Community College of the Air Force counseling sessions, and weekly initial tuition assistance briefings and the officer commissioning briefing," said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Wilbur, the 379th EFSS education center NCO in charge deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Dayton, Ohio, native. "Beyond that we are available to provide briefings at commander's calls on these services."

The education office supports all branches of service with information and testing opportunities.

"College Level Examination Program and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests examinations are the most popular request received here," Wilbur said. "More than 90 CLEP and DSST tests are administered weekly to service members from all branches with a savings of approximately $40,000 in tuition assistance costs to the Department of Defense."

For those who prefer the classroom environment, the education center currently has two colleges, Central Texas College and University of Maryland, University College, located here providing classroom instruction as well as online coursework. However, students may also take online courses with various colleges located across the world.

Online coursework isn't limited to pursuing a degree but is also an option for Professional Military Education through distance learning.

"We provide assistance to Air National Guard and Reserve members enrolling in PME distance learning along with testing for the courses," Wilbur said. "Testing isn't limited to enlisted members as we provide testing for officers enrolled in Squadron Officer School and Air War College courses."

Whether online or in person, service members need to know how to apply for tuition assistance to pay for the classes they enroll in.

"Members need to check with the home station on tuition assistance guidelines. Some bases have different cutoffs for TA approval and that may affect a member's enrollment. The TA request is sent to the supervisor and approved at the home station education center so meeting the deadline is vital," said Wilbur.

Currently the Air Force TA program will pay up to $4,500 in tuition and fees per year for college courses.

Enlisted PME is required for promotion to higher ranks which brings more responsibility and higher pay.

"It's certainly a force multiplier when our Air Force is more educated. So that is something we valued before, we value today and we will continue to value in the future," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody during a visit to Joint Base Andrews in April.

According to a U.S. Census Bureau report titled, The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimate of Work-Life Earnings, those with a high school degree earn $1.2 million, those with a bachelor's degree earn $2.1 million, and those with a master's degree earn $2.5 million over the span of an adults working life which ranges from ages 25 through 64.

"You have the time and resources so take advantage of your educational benefits," said Wilbur.