47TH FSDE TIMES Issue9

47th FSDE Times

Counselor’s Corner Make the most of your Benefits

CLEP & DSST What you need to know?

CLEPThe College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) offers you the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know by taking any of the 33 introductory-level college subject exams. Because the exams are funded by the United States government through the Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES), you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars towards your degree. The 90- to 120-minute exams are administered at over 1,800 colleges across the country and at on-base testing centers worldwide. Credits are awarded for successful scores at 2,900 colleges and universities.

DANTES funds exams for the following groups:•Military personnel (active duty, reserve, National Guard): Army, Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army, and Air National Guard.•Spouses and civilian employees of: Air Force* (civilian employees only), Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Coast Guard (active and reserve). Please note: Spouses and civilian employees of Air National Guard can no longer receive DANTES funding effective October 15, 2014.

Access our SharePoint site for more info:

https://laughlin.eis.aetc.af.mil/47MSG/ 47FSS/edu/default.aspx

Customer Service Hours of Operation Monday – Friday

0730 – 1630

0BHELPING YOU REACH YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS 1BIN THIS ISSUE

• Counselor's Corner• Commissioning • Base Testing Information• TGPS Higher Education • TA Tips • Updates from our Partner Schools

We’ve included a section called Counselor’s Corner, providing you the latest information on current and future changes in the world of education – enjoy! DSST

The nationally recognized DSST Program helps you receive college credits for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom through a suite of more than 30 exams in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities.A form of prior learning assessment, DSSTs offer students a cost effective, time saving way to use their knowledge acquired outside of the classroom (perhaps from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study) to accomplish their educational goals.Over 1,900 colleges and universities recognize the DSST program and award college credit for passing scores. Colleges, universities and corporations throughout the United States and in some other countries administer tests year-round.

Free Intro to Cross-Cultural Communication Course Enrollment Window: 17-30 October 2017Class Dates: 9 Nov 2017 - 14 Feb 2018You can find more inforormation about the AFCLC's programs at http://culture.af.mil/enrollmentwindow.aspx

Free Intro to Culture Course Enrollment Window: 19 Sept-2 Oct 2017 Class Dates:12 Oct-17 Jan 2017You can find more inforormation about the AFCLC's programs at http://culture.af.mil/enrollmentwindow.aspx

Both Courses are worth CCAF Credit & fullfill residency requirement!

Starting March 13th Get a Second Chance to Earn Credit with DSST!Between March 13 and April 30, 2017, military servicemember students who have not passed their first attempt at an exam will be eligible for one FREE retake. It’s an exceptional opportunity to move forward with your education, one that’s made better because we are also reducing the standard retake wait period from 90 to 30 days. This promotion does not apply to the Principles of Public Speaking exam.All you have to do :Check the DANTES funding guide to verify eligibility. If you do not pass your first attempt at an exam you will receive a voucher code via email within a few days. At the time of retest, provide the voucher code.Voucher codes must be redeemed by June 30, 2017. Once you’ve made the decision to retake the exam, we encourage you to take the next step by reviewing exam content outlines and Peterson’s FREE test preparation materials.

47TH FSDE TIMES | Issue 9 2

Career Skills Program What You Need to Know!

DoD SkillBridge OverviewThe DoD SkillBridge initiative promotes the civilian job training authority available for transitioning military Service members. Service members meeting certain qualifications can participate in civilian job and employment training, including apprenticeships and internships.Such training can take place starting up to six months prior to a Service member's separation. Additionally, the training must offer a high probability of employment and be provided to the Service member at little or no cost. Through DoD SkillBridge, tremendous potential exists for Service members, companies, trade unions, and others for leveraging this new DoD authority.

For Service MembersSkillBridge training opportunities are available for transitioning Service members. A Service member must have completed at least 180 days on active duty and be expected to be discharged or released from active duty within 180 days of starting their job training. Moreover, Service members must receive approval to participate, and the training opportunity must meet certain conditions.For additional information contact your education office or seehttp://dodskillbridge.com/#servicemembers.

WAPSMon,Tues,Wed

0800-1200

DLPTThurs and Fri 0800-1200

DLAB Thurs and Fri 0800-0930

AFCTThurs and Fri

0800-1200

PMEWed 1300Thurs 0800

AFOQTMon and Tues

0800-1200

ACT/SAT

To schedule any of the tests listed above please contact Mike Flores at x5225 or via email.

EDUCATION & TRAINING SECTION CONTACTS 2B

Customer Service Line: 298-5520

Acting ESO/Base Testing (WAPS): Mr. Mike Flores-298-5225

Education Counselor/Formal Training RIPs: Mrs. Gia Treglio – 298-5520

TGPS Higher Education Counselor: Mr. Craig Chapman - 298-5219

Career Assistance Advisor: MSgt. Marc Paradis -298-5456

Thurs Once a month as requested

CDCWed1300

Thurs 0800

Flight Chief: Mrs. Christine Engel-298-4673

Please contact me at DSN 480-5011 or via email at 86fss.ramsteineducationcenter@us.af.mil if you have questions or concerns about this policy.The policy letter and “Request for Noncommissioned Officer Academy Course 15 Distance Learning E-exam Test Date” memorandum can be found on the RAB Edu- cation and Training sharepoint site (Course 15 Guidanceand Form library) at:

Biomedical Equipment Technology. Q-What was your Inspiration to complete your CCAF?A-As weird as this sounds, my job and my husband. Prior to arriving at Scott, I even looked at what I needed in order to complete my CCAF. Scott's leadership was very pro college. You had to go to college in order to get awards and get good marks. So I did the minimum in order to achieve this. Then I met my husband and he was already working on his bachelors and made staff and he had been in 2 years less than me! With that, I am very competitive so I had to do better and catch up to him. Within a year I had my CCAF and I started working on my bachelors. Q-What are some the challenges you faced while trying to complete your CCAF? A-The hardest challenge I faced once I started my CCAF was juggling school, work, and family. I did all of the CLEPs I could, but there were a few classes I had to take in order to get my CCAF. I took accelerated courses through McKendree. I would go to school 3 days a week, from 1800-2140, for 4 weeks. An entire semester in 4 weeks! But it allowed me to get my CCAF quick but I gave up a lot of time with my family to do it. The days I didn't have school I was doing homework. So time management was critical! Q-What do you think the benefits of completing your CCAF degree are?A-One benefit is I already have my associates degree and 7 years of job experience. Most people my age might have their bachelors but they only have 2 or 3 years of experience. So if something happened and I had to get out of the military I would have a degree to go with my experience. It would help me get a job. Also, getting my CCAF really kick started my bachelors. Many of the classes I took for my CCAF transferred into my bachelors program.Q-If you had one piece of advice to share with Airmen working toward their CCAF, what would it be? A-Don't wait to complete your CCAF! Get it as soon as you can. The sooner you get it the better off you are. Weather your decision is to get out or stay in, your CCAF will help you in your career. Q-What is your favorite inspirational quote?A-I have many "Favorite quotes" but one that I try and live by on a day to day basis is: "Be the person you want others to follow" and in whatever you do give 100% ALWAYS!

A Few Questions with CCAF Graduate

SSGT. Chelsea Duffy We sat down with one of Laughlin's recent CCAF graduates SSgt. Chelsea Duffy and asked her a

few questions about receiving her CCAF in

Test Schedule

PME/Base Training/CDC testing: TSgt Ronald Bailey- 298-4382 SSgt. Eric Duffy-298-5166

47TH FSDE TIMES | Issue 9 3

ASCP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission who can complete all bachelor degree and commissioning requirements in 2 to 4 years as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Applicants must have at least 24 hours of graded college course work with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have a minimum ACT composite score of 25 or an SAT combined Reading and Math score of 1180 or an AFOQT Academic Aptitude score of 55. Applicants are not authorized to pursue a second bachelors or graduate degree. Degree plans should be in full year increments (ex., 2, 3, 4 year academic plan). If approved, any degree plan that requires an extra semester (ex., 2.5, 3.5 year academic plans) will not receive scholarship entitlements unless they are in a Secretary of the Air Force approved 5-year major (Ref: AFROTCI 36-2011 4.28. – 4.28.1.3., and Attachment 8). Any summer courses taken will not be authorized entitlements unless it is a mandatory course required for the degree and the course is only offered in the summer.

AF Enlisted Commissioning Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program

(ASCP)

After reading this informartion, if you have further questions, contact the ETS and speak with an Education Counselor at 830-298-5520.

Commissioning AF COMMISSIONING OPPORTUNITIES:

US AIR FORCE ACADEMY - Preparatory School - LEAD

AF RESERVE OFFICER TRNG CORPS - ASCP - POC-ERP- SOAR

OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL - BOT - COT

MEDICAL SERVICE PROGRAMS - NECP - PA -MSC-USUHS

-Those selected separate from the active duty Air Force, join an AFROTC detachment and become a full-time college student. The Air Force provides them with a tuition/fees scholarship of up to $18,000 per year, an annual textbook allowance, and a monthly nontaxable stipend. This scholarship will be awarded for 2 to 4 years, depending on how many years you have remaining in your bachelors degree program. Upon graduation and completion of the program, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and will then be returned to active duty with a military obligation of 4 years active and 4 years reserves. After graduation/commissioning as a new second lieutenant you may be required to wait up to 365 days to enter active duty. TO BE ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE

FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: Note: Not all requirements are listed. -Be a United States citizen. -Meet the Age requirements. -IAW Title 10 U.S.C., Section 2107, Financial Assistance Program for Specially Selected Members, applicants who apply for ASCP must be under age 31 on December 31 of their graduation year to earn a commission (NOT WAIVERABLE). -Have at least 1 year Time-In-Service (Waiverable). -Have at least 1 year Time-On-Station at board convening date (Board is held in January) (Waiverable). -Have served at least half of an overseas tour 1 month prior to class start date (Waiverable). Overseas Long Tour. Has not applied before the 25th day of the 8th month before DEROS (Waiverable). -Be recommended by your immediate commander on the AF Form 56. -Must be able to complete their degree in 2 to 4 years and be considered a full-time student by the university. Note: Degree plans that require an extra semester (ex., 2.5, 3.5 year academic plans) will not receive scholarship entitlements unless they are in a Secretary of the Air Force approved 5 year major. -Be admitted to a school offering AFROTC (including cross-town schools) in the academic major you desire to study. -Earn Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) scores of 15 or more on the Verbal scale and 10 or more on the Quantitative scale. Note: AFOQT scores may be waiverable for those who have taken the test twice and failed both times. Note that waivers are not guaranteed. -Pass all components of the Air Force Physical Fitness Test. -Must not be selected for reassignment prior to application submission date. -Must be medically qualified for continued enlistment, commissioning, and cleared for worldwide duty. -Must not be PRP decertified or disqualified (Waiverable). -Must not have any restrictions (AAC, ALC, O, UIF, etc) other than an AAC code 5 (Waiverable). -Must not have an IEB/SRB within the present enlistment (Waiverable). -Meet retainability requirement. The earliest selects will be authorized to separate is 30 days prior to class start date. If the applicant does not meet this requirement, they must request an extension through their normal base channels. -Meet all the requirements for commissioning (physical, moral, fitness, etc.) listed in AFI 36-2013, AFROTCI 36-2011, AFI 36-2002 and AFI 36-2005.

For more information please visit myPers https://mypers.af.mil/app/

answers/detail/a_id/30354/kw/NECP/p/8%2C10

ASCP has seen a 100% selection rate for the FY15 and FY16

Boards

47TH FSDE TIMES Issue9

TGPS Higher Education All you need to be successful in transitioning to civilian life is a Bachelor’s degree…right? Perhaps, but many have found the degree they acquired, hasn’t always afforded them the vocation, or the salary they anticipated. In the past, Veterans have used their GI Bill to fund education without any guidance or discussion prior to leaving the service. This fact was underscored by the President of the United States when he signed the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011; affording counseling services during transition for Veterans intending to use their GI Bill, helping them develop a successful plan.

Your Laughlin ETS provides a Higher Education Track for members separating or retiring within the next year as a direct result of this Executive Order. This course focuses only on education. We provide guidance, informational resources, and counseling to prepare you for success through effective goal planning. The two-day class addresses

, , , and factors that may cause Veterans to stumble when pursuing their educational goals. We also provide timely instruction to help de-mystify the college admissions process. Since our pilot class in May, participants have provided positive

feedback, sharing they definitely gained useful information that will be beneficial to them and their families. There is much to explore…let’s get to it. Contact: Mr. Craig Chapman x5219 to reserve a spot in the next class. Next Class Dates-26-27 January,6-7 April, & 18-19 May

Training Tidbit Supervisor Responsibilities: Supervisors have the single greatest impact on mission accomplishment. They must share their experiences and expertise tomeet mission requirements and provide a quality training program to the trainee. Supervisors must plan, conduct, and evaluate training. Additionally, schedule and conduct supervised training sessions when a trainee has difficulty with upgrade training, CDC progression, or task certification, as evidenced by unsatisfactory scores, task decertification, etc., and document on the AF Form 623a, or other AFCFM approved record.

Education Level Updates:

Does your Data Verification Record (DVR) reflect your education level? ETS updates enlisted education levels but can’t accept transcripts from students; they will only be accepted from a school Registrar office. Have transcripts mailed to the Laughlin Education Office at the following mailing address:

47 FSS/FSDE Enlisted Ed Update 201 Mitchell Blvd. Bld. 221 Laughlin AFB, TX 78843

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) updates education levels for Officers. See contact info below:

AFIT website: http://www.afit.edu Counseling: afit.counselors@afit.edu Education Query: Afit.coding@afit.edu

E-Degree Plans

- MilTA E-Degree Plan Briefing: Did

you know you will not be able to apply for Tuition Assistance after 1 October 2014 if you have not established and Electronic Degree plan in the Air Force Virtual

- Never fear – The Education &

Training Section (ETS) conducts a "How to” Initial/Refresher TA Brief that can assist you with your E- degree plan submission.

Course Withdrawals:

- If you withdraw from a course,

complete the following actions: - Provide the Ed Office proof from

your school that you dropped the course and that the AF will not be charged (proof can be an email from your school representative)

- If you incur a cost for dropping the

course, provide documentation from your school to the Ed Office as well.

WAPS Monitors & Training Monitors VITAL!!WIRE is a tool to provide Enlisted Promotions and TCO personnel access to the promotion file.Please keep in mind that, like WAPS, WIRE is not a real-time system. WAPS is updated twice a week with changes from MILPDS and WIRE is updated twice a week with changes from WAPS So, your updates to MILPDS won’t show up in WIRE immediately. WIRE is taken directly from the promotion file and should be considered valid unless you are aware of a recent update that hasn’t consummated on WAPS yet.

Rescheduling Promotion DatesAll requests other than documented TDY, family or medical emergencies, medical conditions precluding testing (AF FM 422), or sick call must be submitted through the unit commander to the FSS Commander for final approval.

Test Takers please see the link below for Eligibility Chart with EPRs consideredhttps://laughlin.eis.aetc.af.mil/47MSG/47FSS/edu/Unit%20WAPS%20Monitor%20Tools/Forms/AllItems.aspx

47TH FSDE TIMES | Issue 9 5

PARK UNIVERSITY-LAUGHLIN CAMPUS

Park University offers several classes both on-site and online. On-site classes meet in the evenings and at lunch time to best accommodate your schedule. If

you are unable to take online classes, we have a huge variety of online courses. We also offer several

classes that count toward CCAF. We are open to civilians, military, dependents, retired, everyone!

Contact our office for more information.

Contact our office for more information.

Phone: 830-298-5593 Email: LAUG@park.edu

Applying to Park University is easy! Visit www.park.edu/apply

The $25 application fee is WAIVED for active duty military!

Each course is completed in an accelerated 8-week term: • Six credit hours per term = Full-time student

status• Three credit hours per term = Part-time student

status

Upcoming Term Dates

Summer 2017

5 June-30 July 2017

Here are the degrees that we offer:

Associate's degrees: Management Social Psychology

Bachelor’s degrees: on site Psychology (BA) Sociology (BA) Business Administration (BS)Management (BS) Management- Accounting (BS) Management- Computer Info Systems (BS) Management- Finance (BS) Management- Health Care (BS) Management- Human Resources (BS) Management- Marketing (BS) Social Psychology (BS) Information & Computer Science (BS)

Master’s Degrees: Business Administration (MBA) Communication and Leadership (MA) Education and Teaching Healthcare Administration (MHA) Music (MM) Public Affairs (MPA) Social Work (MSW)

Already have a Masters? Contact our office to see if we have an adjunct faculty position for you.