Education important now, always

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Susan Piasecki
  • Airman Leadership School commandant
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  In January 1988, I was first introduced to the Montgomery G.I. Bill and education opportunities in the Air Force. 

As our training instructor walked us through filling the forms required to accept or deny this option, I wondered why I needed any additional education. 

After all, I had declined two full scholarships and one partial scholarship to college eight months prior while in high school to avoid further education. Wouldn't my highly sought after Florida high school diploma speak for itself and my educational successes? After all, if I would have wanted a college education, I would have stayed in my hometown and not joined the Air Force. 

But, much like most of us, everyone in the room was signing up, so I went along with the group as not to disrupt the process. What I didn't know is I had just made the best uninformed and uneducated decision of my life. 

In the late 1980's and early 1990's education in the enlisted force was rarely spoken of. 
There would be the occasional mention of something called a CCAF degree, but most of my peers and I simply shook our heads in acknowledgement and kept avoiding the subject. I did manage to squeeze in a couple of classes during my busy years in the dorms, but nothing more. As I began to progress in my military career and added more stripes to my sleeve, I began to feel more pressure from my leadership to get involved in off-duty education and to get my Community College of the Air Force degree. I gave in to the pressure of nagging bosses just to keep them quiet, and began attending classes. 

Finally, after all my hard work and 12 years, I had my first CCAF degree. I subsequently received a second and third CCAF degree in career fields I held and felt as if nothing could stop me. While the CCAF degree may seem insignificant to some, I felt as if I had won the Nobel Peace Prize when I was awarded them, and it gave me a new appreciation for education and just enough confidence to tackle a Bachelor degree. 

The Air Force, it seemed, was beginning to understand the need for education in much the same way I was. Slowly, the Air Force began to tie in promotions, special duties and opportunities to those with CCAF degrees. 

And I became more educated on how the Air Force felt about it, which I took seriously. So seriously, that I felt a need to bring both my Air Force career and education together. I found that with my CCAF degree, I could apply to be an Airman Leadership School commandant. Now, I have the opportunity to be a member of the education flight and work for enlisted professional military education. 

Twenty-one years, three CCAF degrees, one Bachelor degree and enrolled in a Master degree program, I represent today's educated enlisted Airman. I am proud of my accomplishments and humbled by the opportunities the Air Force has afforded me simply by serving. 

Education is the foundation of who we are and who we become, it is an opportunity to continuously improve ourselves and become who we want to be. When you think about your education, consider this, we are all eligible for $4,500 in Tuition Assistance annually. 

January 2009 has been designated as training and education month during the Year of Leadership, so get involved in education and training. For more information, call 773-2117. Educated Airmen are key to an educated Air Force.