Top 10 things Airmen can do with a degree

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With the increased force shaping measures implemented throughout the Air Force, more and more Airmen are striving to find ways to stay professionally competitive.

One of the options Airmen have is to work toward a degree.

"The Air Force offers its Airmen a variety of educational benefits," said Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, 28th Bomb Wing command chief. "We live in such a competitive world; having a degree will help Airmen grow professionally and will make them a stronger candidate for promotions and landing a good job."

Upon swearing into the delayed enlistment program, future Airmen are automatically enrolled into the Community College of the Air Force. They are given the opportunity to earn an accredited associate degree in a major directly related to their career field.

Airmen are also able to earn an additional associate degree, bachelors and master's degree from accredited colleges - all paid for by the Air Force.

Those degrees can offer Airmen a substantial benefit when looking to develop themselves both personally and professionally, said Susan King, 28th Force Support Squadron base training and education services specialist.

According to Mrs. King, the top 10 things Airmen can do with a degree are:

· Increase their chances for promotion and advancement opportunities
· Increase their marketability in a civilian career field
· Develop better leadership skills
· Gain broader views on various topics -understand the "big-picture"
· Enhance their professional foundation
· Increase salary opportunities - both within the Air Force and in the civilian world
· Become more competitive for decorations and awards
· Help obtainin a senior rater endorsement
· Increase opportunities for special duty assignments
· Improve overall quality of life, both personally and professionally

By working toward a degree, Airmen are able to improve in both their personal and professional lives, said Mrs. King.

"The Air Force is looking for Airmen who represent the 'whole-person concept,'" said Chief Cole. "Earning a degree will help Airmen grow both as a person and as a leader, which pays dividends both in military and civilian careers."