JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Airmen from the 315th Airlift Wing received their degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and participated in the graduation ceremony hosted at the Base Theater at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Sunday, May 15, 2016.
The CCAF offers enlisted airmen the opportunity to earn an associate in applied science degree or a professional certification certificate in one of several fields of study. More than 70 graduates received CCAF degrees specializing in areas such as Information Systems Technology, Logistics and Health Care Management.
Wing leadership addressed the graduates who were able to attend today’s ceremony and provided them with a few wise words of encouragement and guidance as they take the next step in their careers.
“Congratulations, I can’t tell you how important this is,” said Col. Gregory Gilmour, 315th AW commander, as he walked across the stage to speak directly to the Airmen in anticipation of receiving their degrees. “Continue your education and do not stop,” Gilmour added. “It is important to your career and important for your life.”
The CCAF is a federally-charted degree-granting institution that serves the United States Air Force's enlisted personnel. They partner with more than 108 affiliated Air Force schools, 82 Education Service Offices located worldwide and more than 1,500 civilian academic institutions to serve more than 300,000 active, guard and reserve enlisted personnel, making CCAF the world's largest community college system. Annually, the college awards more than 22,000 associate in applied science degrees from 68 degree programs.
Chief Master Sgt. Mark Barber, 315th AW command chief, enlightened graduates on the recognition and accreditation their degrees carry within the Southern Association of College Schools (SACS), one of the toughest accreditation agencies in the country, according to Barber.
"This is the same agency who accredits the Citadel military college, Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and many others," said Barber. "With that degree in hand, you make yourself much more marketable."
Established April 1, 1972, the CCAF has awarded more than 335,000 associate in applied science degrees and students have earned more than 1.6 million hours of college credit.
To learn more about the CCAF, follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCAFFB or go directly to the website at http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/
Locally, airmen can visit the Force Development and Education office located in Building 51 at Joint Base Charleston.