AFSA supports education goals

Published Feb. 7, 2014
By Master Sgt. David Miller
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- On Jan. 21, the Al Udeid Air Base Air Force Sergeants Association, Grand Slam Lite Chapter, awarded Senior Airman Mary Andom a $125 scholarship to continue her educational goals.

As a federally chartered non-profit organization that lobbies on Capitol Hill, AFSA represents the professional and personal interests of active duty, retired and veteran Airmen and their families.

One of the ways AFSA supports Airmen is through sponsorships of various events and scholarships for advanced education. The events AFSA sponsors include the Air Force Pitsenberger Award, First Sergeant of the Year, Recruiters of the Year from each of the Air Force components and Civil Air Patrol NCO Cadet of the Year.

The AFSA Enlisted College Scholarship is one way Airmen receive help to pay for additional education.

"We challenged the Grand Slam Wing's E-1 through E-6 population to write an essay on AFSA's CapWiz program," said Master Sgt. Michael Vincent, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Information Service Center section chief and the AFSA scholarship lead deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan and a Kimball, Neb., native. "CapWiz is an easy to use web application that properly formats emails to elected officials and allows for setting up pages for critical legislation that must be acted upon quickly."

Andom's essay supports in-state tuition rates for Post 9/11 GI Bill users and as a graduate student who experienced the lasting effects student loan debt brings, she enlisted in the Air Force for educational benefits and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations at the University of Oklahoma.

"If you put things into perspective, if I received that same education as a veteran I would pay $15,667 in out-of-state tuition fees as opposed to $4,205," said Andom deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and a Seattle native. "This is a staggering sticker cost which can deter many veterans from continuing in higher education."

On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to legislation offered by the Chairman of the House Veterans Committee, Jeff Miller (R-FL) which requires state universities to offer in-state tuition for Veterans attending college on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

"Senior Airman Andom embodies the Air Force's 'whole person concept,' which is reflected in everything she does on and off duty," said Master Sgt. Felipe Vasquez, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commanders support staff NCO in charge deployed from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and a San Antonio native.

As Andom continues her education and becomes a more complete Airman, she is thankful for the opportunities the Air Force has afforded her.

"I am grateful to receive this scholarship from AFSA and this monetary gift will help me pay for my tuition and books not covered by Tuition Assistance," said Andom. "The Air Force offers many opportunities to help all Airmen pursue higher education; the first step is seeking them out and simply filling out an application."