MyCAA re-activated

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The My Career Advancement Accounts program, which was shut down, Feb. 17, is scheduled to resume operations March 13 at noon.

This re-activation will only be available to military spouses who already have an existing MyCAA account.

"For those with an existing account, they will have access to the entire Web site, including the ability to create and have financial documents approved," said Tommy Thomas, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense military community and family policy, in an e-mail to MyCAA account holders, March 11.

The program originally offered spouses up to $6,000 toward their educational goals. The shut-down came as a shock to many spouses who depended on the money to attend college.

"I'm very excited the program is back up and running," said Michelle McMahon, wife of Staff Sgt. Patrick McMahon, 28th Security Forces Squadron, NCO-in charge of the visitor control center. "I hope the break helped to re-evaluate the system and allows the continued assistance to those already utilizing the program."

Mr. Thomas apologized for the burden and worry caused by the shutdown in February.

"When we determined that an operational pause in the program was critical, we failed to notify you in a timely and appropriate manner," he said in the email to account holders. "As a result of our failure, we may have lost your trust and confidence. We know we will have to work hard to restore that lost faith and are committed to doing so."

For more information on programs available to spouses and families, contact the AFRC at (605) 385-4663.