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3 enlisted Airmen selected for advanced degree program
Posted 4/11/2012 Updated 4/11/2012
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by Debbie Gildea
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
4/11/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Three Air Force master sergeants will pursue master's degrees through the Air Force Institute of Technology Enlisted to AFIT Graduate Degree Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.
Master Sgts. Yared M Abegaz, Air Mobility Command; Corey J. Perkins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; and James D. Rhoads, Jr., Air Force Global Strike Command, were accepted to pursue degrees in management or engineering at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base campus in Dayton, Ohio.
Abegaz will pursue a systems engineering degree to complement his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, earned at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Hailing from Laurel, Md., Abegaz is from the cyber transport systems field. The husband and father is a career Airmen with 14 years of service. He and his team stand on the front line of cyber defense, and he believes this opportunity will help him hone his defender skills.
"Considering cyber warfare and the threat our Air Force and country faces, this education will arm me with the weapons I need to help combat that threat, and to prevent and mitigate cyber attacks on our networks," he said.
Anticipating a challenging but rewarding experience, he also sees himself gaining new tools to improve his leadership and mentoring abilities.
"I believe the knowledge I gain will help me guide other technicians through our rapidly transforming cyber environment," Abegaz said.
Perkins earned his computer science bachelor's degree through the University of Maryland, and will continue in that area of study as he pursues a Master of Science in Computer Technology/Computer Science.
The Piqua, Ohio native is a 20-year veteran who, though eligible to retire, has accepted the opportunity to increase his knowledge and skills, and continue to apply them to support the Air Force mission.
Like many senior noncommissioned officers, Perkins' career has taken him around the world, serving in the lower 48, Alaska, Korea and Germany. He's had opportunities to mentor Airmen and in his decision to apply for the AFIT program, he was mentored by his former flight commander and a fellow senior NCO.
He has high expectations about the experience and the outcome of the program.
"Cyberspace is today's battlefield, and this program will help me fight on that front. Because of programs like this - and the participants who work to excel - the Air Force will prevail in space and cyberspace."
Rhoads has also served at bases around the world, including off-the-beaten-path assignments in Greenland and Antigua. The 17-year career Airman hails from Miami, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida.
At AFIT, he will pursue a graduate degree in engineering management to complement his academic and career field experiences. His decision to apply for the program came as a result of advising a fellow NCO to apply.
Recognizing that this program will be an enormous challenge, he's excited about the road ahead.
"I expect the course to be tough, but I'm looking forward to it. I love classes where everyone is engaged in learning, rather than just going through the motions for a grade," he said. "I'm ready to absorb it all and learn as much as possible."
Rhoads considers the program an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to his service and country.
"I want to have an impact, wherever the Air Force sends me, and while I know I make a difference now, I want to do more. I think this opportunity will prepare me for that," he said.
School begins in the fall, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon, AFPC officer developmental education superintendent.
"Selection for the program says a lot about them," she said of Abegaz, Perkins and Rhoads. "It's a very competitive program and Airmen selected will find themselves pushing the envelope." she said.
Participants incur an active duty service commitment, but not necessarily a permanent change of station, Dixon explained. Air Force needs dictate the selection and post-graduation placement. The call for nominations normally occurs at the beginning of the calendar year, but Dixon advises people who are interested to work on their application package early.
"There are a variety of criteria, qualifications and processes involved in preparing an application, so you should look at last year's criteria and start organizing now," she said.
For more information about advanced degree programs and other personnel issues, go to the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. |
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