Partner in education during YoCE Published Feb. 7, 2012 By Master Sgt. Brent Whitby 66th Medical Squadron HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 2011 Year of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) campaign resulted in the highest graduation rate in Air Force Materiel Command history. Hanscom Air Force Base led the charge with 11.49 percent of eligible Airmen earning degrees. This year AFMC encourages all Airmen to pursue education advancement opportunities by launching the 2012 Year of Continuing Education (YoCE) initiative. Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, the AFMC command chief, spoke on the importance of continuing education. "It's not difficult to see changes coming just on the horizon," he said. "Airmen will need to be more organized and trained so they are armed with the necessary skills to find the solutions to reduce excess overhead and support costs in order to apply savings to the Air Force's priorities. Simply said, we need to make the most out of what we have." The Hanscom Education and Training Center and "base education secretaries" are providing resources to the "partners in education," which will help mentor and guide Airmen in pursuit of advanced education. Airmen who have 45 credit hours or more toward their CCAF will be encouraged to finish their degree. In addition, strategic development initiatives will target those Airmen who have completed their CCAF. These Airmen will be provided an education partner to help motivate them to achieve their goals. These partners will be equipped with online undergraduate and post-graduate degree resources, professional certification programs, grants and tuition assistance information. Career counseling resources will be provided by the education center. Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Call, Electronic Systems Center command chief, encourages all Airmen -- enlisted, officers and civilians -- to increase their knowledge through continuing education. "Going to school not only increases one's intelligence, but also enhances creative thinking," he said. "Education is a never-ending process that is core to developing Airmen throughout their careers. My challenge to every Airman is to focus on your education goals during the YoCE and take advantage of our educational opportunities and tuition assistance program." A volunteer counselor program is being developed to support the increased workload of education professionals. The education center will host two education fairs this year. The first event will be held on Feb. 23. A YoCE representative will be on-sight to assist education seekers and team them up with a partner. Those interested in participating as a partner in education or are in need of a mentor, contact Master Sgt. Brent Whitby at 781-225-6292.