Commentary - Education will take you places

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For information on how you can take the first step toward continuing education visit your education center or log on the Air Force Portal and visit the Air Force Virtual Education Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Sonny Cohrs)
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Education will take you places

Posted 8/10/2011

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Commentary by Capt. Omar Villarreal
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/10/2011 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- With the current military tempo, it would seem safe to say that by joining the military, new Airmen will be able to see the world. I have known many people who have joined to get away, to see new places, to expand their understandings and to gain independence.

I decided to join the Air Force because I wanted to follow the footsteps of a proud Airman who served more than 24 years for his country. That proud Airman was my father, who along with my mother stressed the importance of education.

I never was the studying type. I guess I figured there were so many other things I would rather be doing, but because of my parents I knew education could help me grow as a person.

"Education can take you places," my parents would say. "Go to school, stay on top of your studies, work hard, believe in yourself and the rest will be history."

I was commissioned nearly eight years ago, after four extremely fun years at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I am sure there were those who doubted I would be able to finish because I had a full plate. I worked full-time, I ran cross country, I was in ROTC and I was in a fraternity.

"Most people can only work and go to school, or have a social life and go to school," a school administrator said during an orientation a week before my first semester. "We advise you choose what you want to do and stay away from the other."

I am here to tell you that no matter how much you have on your plate, no matter how long it has been since you have taken your last class and no matter how hard you think it will be, there is always a little room for higher education. Putting forth just a little amount of effort is all that is required to succeed.

As servicemembers, we have tools at our disposal to help us get an education. We have an education center. We have tuition assistance. We have leaders who understand the value of a higher education; and if we are away from our families, we have the opportunity to get one or finish one we have already started.

The education center is there to help servicemembers reach their educational goals. The education center is there to help with what probably is the hardest part about getting a higher education, registering for that first class. Once you register, you are well on your way to achieving the degree you seek.

So, with the tools available to each of us, there should be no reason for not pursuing a higher education, right? Well, that is up to us to apply the values instilled in each of us: Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all we do.

I think we owe it to ourselves to improve who we are. I can honestly say that I believe most service members strive to be model citizens. We want a higher rank, we want more responsibility and we want to live the best life possible.

I am not going to convince you to go register for a class, buy a textbook or take the first step and visit your base's education center to by writing this commentary. Getting an education is something you have to want to do for yourself.

All I am asking is that you take a second to think about the opportunities you have. As servicemembers, we have opportunities that most only dream of. Want better for yourself? Get a higher education and go further than you ever thought possible.

For information on how you can take that first step, visit your education center or log on the Air Force Portal and visit the Air Force Virtual Education Center.

Comments

8/22/2011 8:24:55 AM ET
I recently thought I was separating after 16 years of service, so I started pushing out resumes. I managed to land an interview with Google and here's the response I received: Wow you're probably overqualified for this job and we'd love to hire you. Unfortunately though we do not hire anyone without a bachelor's degree. I learned how unmarketable I was that day. Another interviewer about a month later and took it a step when she said "Your bachelor's doesn't matter. You need to specialize your master's." This matters to some people and not so much to others. My only word of advice Don't be me - an old guy threatened with the aspect of no income and nothing to fall back on. Take advantage of our education programs.

TSgt. Stagner, RAF Lakenheath

8/21/2011 12:31:12 PM ET
Matthew Wichita KS: I hadn't thought of that before. So simple yet so true.

Any, Airman

8/19/2011 4:15:15 PM ET
The only people I've ever heard talk about how overrated education is are the people who never worked hard enough to get one.

Matthew, Wichita KS

8/18/2011 12:56:02 PM ET
I can tell you education did not hold me back. It did limit the size of the pay check because society has dictated there is a glass ceiling that one can not pass through without a collage degree. However, I have slammed up against it for the last 10 years and I keep nudging it a few dollars higher every year. I can say without a doubt high successs depends on a degree for anyone currently in the service regardless of skill levels. The aviation sector now demands collage degrees and skills such as A and P license. I'm one of the last to hold a high position without a degree but a degree would have made a difference in the level of monitory compensation without a doubt. I started to get a degree but allowed some other people to run interferance in my attemps until I gave up. My advise is make it your priority and do not allow others to run road blocks on your goals of success. Enjoy your Air Force career while your living it guantee you will look back some day and say they were great day

Mike Solon Retired, Ohio

8/17/2011 10:48:47 AM ET
Higher education isn't the end all, be all. My skill set and certification have done quite well for me in both the contractor and government worlds. In both cases my salary was/is very nice. I've seen plenty of clueless people who hold multiple degrees.

Retired Sarge, Living the Good Life

8/16/2011 5:46:30 PM ET
School is overrated.

Jake, McChord

8/16/2011 11:10:23 AM ET
I thought my 20 years in the AF and experience as a leader/manager would land me a good job after retirement. Well I was half right. The good job had a low ceiling until I went back to school and earned my BS through SIU on base. As many have said, education is the key. Get to the education office and unlock your future!

John C, Houston

8/16/2011 9:30:49 AM ET
Hard work always pays off Sure you are going to have to spend hours of your off time studying and finishing homework...it wont be easy but it will be worth it Don't be the 50 yr old that is retired and looks back wishing and regretting that he never took advantage of what the Military had to offer. Opportunities are everywhere you just have to reach out and grab them. Get motivated and get smart

Deployed SSgt, Eglin AFB FL

8/16/2011 1:28:31 AM ET
I fully agree with the importance of education. However it sucks for junior enlisted to pay for hundreds of dollars in charges/fees that TA does not cover. The U.S. education system is FOR PROFIT business. Btw, I'm also attending the University of Texas at San Antonio...

Deployed Amn, SW Asia

8/15/2011 7:59:29 PM ET
All your educational goal are possible. I have been in just over 4 years and have 4 children. I have completed my CCAF, a Bachelor of Science, an MBA in Project Management, and am finishing up my Master's in Education. It all attainable with the motivation to do so.

Ryan, SJAFB NC

8/15/2011 4:13:28 PM ET
No excuse for not getting at least your ccaf while on active duty. I finished my ccaf with only taking one class the traditional way. The rest I received from clep tests and military education like als, combat skills training, 5 and 7 level upgrades, foreign language proficency test. I mean if the Air Force gives you credits for learning your job or even for attending combat skills training before your deployment, there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to not get their ccaf within 4 years of joining the Air Force. It's easy and you should do it especially since they are changing the whole retirement pay program at least get your school done while you are in.

Chris, JBSA

8/12/2011 10:57:16 AM ET
Absolutely! I'm all about any bluesuiter getting their schooling on. I used to tell my younger troops back at Ramstein that if they had time to screw around on the Internet they had time to take some online classes. Seventeen years after high school I graduated with my BS back in 2009 and will finish up grad school in December - exactly one year before retirement. All this from the guy who thought they would have to burn the building down to get me out of high school. Take the first step, it's easier than you think.

MSgt Henry Thomas, BLV

8/12/2011 2:46:26 AM ET
Capt V is absolutely correct. It is without a doubt that almost all major companies, including the U.S. government, will not accept most applications for management positions without a bachelors degree. Take advantage of tuition assistance along with the Chap 33 Post 911 GI Bill. At a minimum, the 911 GI Bill will provide a stipend for books even if the TA is paid for by the service. Remember this: a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. GET TO THE EDUCATION OFFICE!

Recently Retired Master Sergeant, Fort Worth Texas

8/11/2011 8:52:38 PM ET
I urge every airman on active duty to take advantage of every education oportunity the Air Force has to offer. I enlisted in the Air Force May 28, 1966, after not achieving a sufficient grade point average to remain in college. I was not a partier, just a young man overwhelmed by his first year in college. I did not let that stand in my way. I completed all my Air Force training requirements for my 3 and 5 level and took college courses every chance I had, including while stationed in Viet Nam. In 1973, I was assigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. I walked into the education office during my in-processing and spoke with one of the counselors. I had been taking cources for seven years here and there. When my efforts were evaluated, I was told that I had completed one and one-half years of work. I asked how I could finish my degree and was told that if I took two classses each term I would complete a year's worth of credit for every eight terms. Long story short, I remained on the base f

David C. Stricker MSgt USAF Ret, Indianapolis IN

8/11/2011 4:58:49 PM ET
Tuition Assistance and a little G.I. Bill took me through my undergraduate program then after commissioning TA again took me through a Master's program. Who knows where from here but I'm pretty sure I'm not done yet. This is one of the best benefits of military service. Unfortunately, too many don't take advantage. Use it or lose it.

Capt Pietersma, F. E. Warren AFB

8/11/2011 10:40:40 AM ET
Capt V is right on the money. I finished a BS three years before retirement and it is the single reason I supervise over 100 people today in the civilian sector. I had the skills to do that by my 20th year in the AF but would never have been hired to do this without the BS. Thanks to the Chap 33 Post 9-11 GI Bill I am enrolled in a prestigious private universtiy Masters program with which I believe I can move up two more levels to oversee nearly 500 people and draw a $100K plus annual salary. NCO's who aren't thinking higher education are not going to do as well as they think they can without one or two degrees. Education is the keystone to opportunity in the civilian sector.

The Old Retired Guy, San Antonio

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