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Education and Training office pushes bettering oneself, Reserve

  • Published
  • By Bryan Magaña
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE --  What education can I get for my money? How do I apply for tuition assistance? What CDCs do I need to get promoted?

These are questions the 419th Fighter Wing Education and Training office aims to answer, and some of the most common ones among Reservists.

Nancy Keller, Education Specialist, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Mason, Formal Schools Manager, have been looking for ways to answer the questions before they're asked.

"We started changing the atmosphere, we're making it more user-friendly," said Keller, who wants to be more proactive in promoting the benefits of her office and the importance of education.

This includes taking steps to make the Education and Training office more visible, like sending out detailed newcomers' packets on the UTA that outline the benefits the Air Force Reserve provides to its members, and sending out emails with scholarship and grant opportunities.

"We positively reinforce getting education so we can be the best force possible," Sergeant Mason said. "We live in an educationally driven world, why shouldn't our members be educated as well?"

Sergeant Mason will complete his Master's degree in Education this fall. Keller has a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with a minor in music. They say it's important to be an example to other Airmen by completing their own degrees, both civilian and military.

For Airmen, paying for an education is easier with the help of the GI bill or tuition reimbursement, Sergeant Mason said. The Education and Training office also offers free CLEP tests in general studies for Reservists and their spouses. They provide study guides and sample questions, as well as CLEP books loaned from the base library. These services save time and money, Keller said.

"I've seen the numbers increase," Keller said of those enrolling in classes. That includes 48 Reservists attending schools both in and outside of Utah. Combined they are enrolled in 143 classes.

On Tuesday, 17 419th Fighter Wing personnel graduated with degrees from the Community College of the Air Force in a commencement held at Club Hill. Keller and Sergeant Mason were there to applaud them.

"We support the troops by going to all the graduations," Keller said.

She encourages Reservists to bring their families to the ceremony, especially their children, to set the example for the next generation.

"It means something to the children to see their father or mother graduate, it inspires them to further their own education," she said.

Some studies show that when one parent graduates college, there is a 70 percent chance that his or her child will graduate from college. If both parents graduate, that likelihood increases by 15 percent.

"You have to be constantly reminded to go as far as you can go," Sergeant Mason said.

That's why he corresponds with each unit's training manager, who gives updates regarding each member's training needs. He also plans to meet with representatives from each university in Northern Utah to make it easier for Reservists to find their school's point of contact.

The Education and Training office testing hours are Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays and 1 p.m., and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays of the UTA. They can usually work around members' schedules to accommodate their civilian jobs.