Page 3 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-17-15

Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
Move up in world with education
by Senior Airman
GRACE LEE
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Education — it’s something that’s
important not only to be competitive
in one’s military career but also in
the civilian sector.
“A diploma or college education
shows you not only have the educa-
tion but you also have critical think-
ing skills, and that you can analyze,
be objective and have a perspective
on different issues,” said Sandy Coo-
per, 56th Force Support Squadron
guidance counselor. “It also backs
up the fact that you have knowl-
edge behind what you’re saying. It
doesn’t always matter what school
you have graduated from but that
you have a degree and that shows
discipline and commitment.”
Education is also important in a
military career.
“Is there ever an enlisted perfor-
mance report or a package to submit
that doesn’t ask you, ‘Where are you
with your education?’” Cooper said.
“With all the racking and stacking
these days, this is an area for Air-
men to excel in.”
/XNHÀUVWVHUJHDQWVDOVRVKDUHG
their thoughts.
´(YHU\RQH FDQ EHQHÀW IURP DG-
ditional education even though the
expectations of education in the
military have changed,” said Master
Sgt. Sara Abel, 56th Operations
6XSSRUW 6TXDGURQ ÀUVW VHUJHDQW
“Military education and training,
which includes the Community
College of the Air Force degree, is
intended to improve an individual’s
capabilities in their respective roles.
If we look beyond the military, the
experiences and skills learned on
active duty may not land us the per-
fect job in the civilian sector. This
is why education is very important
and can make you competitive when
you separate.”
Education makes a person com-
petitive and well rounded, according
to Master Sgt. Deborah Hofstra,
56th Component Maintenance
6TXDGURQÀUVWVHUJHDQW
THUNDERBOLT ALMANAC
61st FS............................................................ 0 425th FS .................................................... N/A
62nd FS........................................................... 0
308th FS ....................................................... 21
309th FS ....................................................... 21
310th FS ....................................................... 39
311th FS ....................................................... 28
+RXUVÁRZQ 6RUWLHVÁRZQ
F-35 2,414.1 1,543
F-16 15,274.6 11,590
News
“Having an education is impor- Staff Sgt. Staci Miller 56th Medical Operations Squadron to Col. Stephen Boden in
tant not only to help you progress
through the ranks, but it’s a part help get your mind back into the
of being a well-rounded person in math mindset. From the results of
the Air Force,” she said. “You won’t the test, a specialized program will
always be in the military, and be designed addressing the areas
education helps in getting a good of need.”
paying job.”
For those unsure of the enroll-
The time to enroll in school is ment process, there are guidance
now, Cooper said. counselors to help in the Luke Air
Force Base Education Center in
“Take advantage of tuition as- Bldg. 1150.
sistance,” she said. “Active-duty
members are given $4,500 per year “An appointment with a Luke
to use toward their education. As counselor can open your eyes to
long as they’re up to date on their many things, and we can help so
ÀWQHVVDVVHVVPHQWWHVWGRQ·WKDYH much,” Cooper said. “It’s a good day
DQXQIDYRUDEOHLQIRUPDWLRQÀOHDQG when someone comes in and we see
their supervisor approves it, they the light go on in their eyes when
can go to school.” they realize they can do it. That’s
what we want for everyone who
Additionally, the Air Force pro- comes in.”
vides free programs for active-duty
members to help them excel in sub- Cooper also recommends the fol-
jects in which they are weak. lowing tips for success:
‡ Order books early to review ma-
“On the Air Force Virtual Educa-
tion Center, under the information terial before class start date.
tab, there are two programs — an ‡ Review a College-Level Exami-
online academic skills course and
the college placement skills train- nation Program on the subject
ing,” Cooper said. “Both are put in before the class starts.
place to not only get your academic ‡ 6FKHGXOHVWXG\WLPHDQGÀQGD
skills up, but to help you test well place suitable in which to study.
for promotions. If you need to work The education office is open 8
on math, you can click math, and a.m. to 4 p.m. and is also available
it will provide a pretest, which can for walk-ins. For more information
or to make an appointment with a
Luke guidance counselor, call the
HGXFDWLRQRIÀFHDW
Fiscal 2015 graduates
56th TRS...................................................... 66
607th ACS ..................................................... 0
372nd TRS, Det. 12................................... 205
56th OSS (IFTU)......................................... 47
T-Bolts 85 Luke Airmen
Deployed are deployed to
11 countries
around the world.
July 17, 2015 3
Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
IN BRIEF
56th MDOS change of command
Col. Constance Jackson will relinquish command of the
a ceremony at 7:56 a.m. July 24 in Hangar 999. To RSVP, call
Master Sgt. Meshawn Guevara at 623-856-7579.
Feds Feed Families
The 7th Annual Feds Feed Families Food Drive is now
under way and runs through Aug. 31. Defense Department
employees have been asked to participate. Luke Air Force Base
has donated 3,091.61 pounds of food to St. Mary’s Food Bank
Alliance. Online donations can be made by purchasing food at
Costco, Safeway, Peapod, Amazon or any other online retailer
and delivered directly to the food bank of choice. Donations
can be delivered to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance at 2831 N.
31st Ave., Phoenix, 85009. For more information, call Master
Sgt. Jeremy Roberts at 623-856-3112.
Community Center gets renovation
The Luke Air Force Base Community Center is undergoing
a renovation with a completion date sometime in May 2016.
During the renovation, Subway and the barbershop will remain
open. The barbershop is now located adjacent to Bldg. 700 in
a large trailer with restroom facilities. The phone number is
623-935-5742.
Thunderbolt Thursday Game Night
Choose a favorite game — spades, dominoes or poker — at
Thunderbolt Thursday Game Night 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Club
Five Six. Burger baskets are $5. For more information, call
623-856-6446.
Adult ceramics class
An adult ceramics class is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the
Arts and crafts center. The cost is $7 and includes one kiln-
ÀULQJ IRU WKH LQFODVV SLHFH RQO\ 3DUWLFLSDQWV PXVW SURYLGH
their own green ware or bisque pieces and supplies. For more
information, call 623-856-6502.
NCOPEC
NCO Professional Enhancement Course offers staff and
technical sergeants an opportunity to interact with their peers
while enhancing supervisory skills in enlisted performance
review writing, mentoring/counseling, standards/discipline and
more. It is a developmental course with a focus on the NCO
tier who have completed Airman Leadership School three or
more years ago and but have not yet attended NCO Academy.
The course is four full days and requires leadership approval.
The class dates are July 27 through 31, Aug. 10 through 14
and 24 through 28 at the ALS auditorium, Bldg 156. For more
information, call Master Sgt. Ida Bushey at 623-856-2985.
AFROTC commissioning packages due
$OO$LU)RUFH5HVHUYH2IÀFHU7UDLQLQJ&RUSVFRPPLVVLRQLQJ
packages are due in the upcoming months. The Scholarship
for Outstanding Airman to ROTC packages are due to Air
Education and Training Command by Sept. 15. The Airmen
Scholarship & Commissioning Program and Professional Of-
ÀFHU &RXUVH(DUO\ 5HOHDVH 3URJUDP SDFNDJHV DUH GXH WR $LU
)RUFH5HVHUYH2IÀFHU7UDLQLQJ&RUSVE\2FW7KHUHKDYH
been many recent changes to the programs. Airmen interested
LQWKHVHSURJUDPVDUHUHTXLUHGWRDWWHQGDEULHÀQJKHOGRQFHD
month at the 56th Force Support Squadron Education Center.
For more information about applying for this program, go to
WKHHGXFDWLRQRIÀFHRUFDOO
Youth summer camps
‡ Science camp
<RXWKWHVWDFLGVDQGEDVHVÀQGWKHLUS+OHDUQZKDWPDNHV
a better battery — lemons or oranges, and more 1 to 4 p.m.
July 20 through 24.
‡ Music recording, video production camp
Youth learn how to create, write, produce and record a
song, and make a music video, ages 9 to 12 from 9 a.m. to
noon and teens from 1 to 4 p.m. July 27 through 31.
The cost is $25 per youth program member and $35 per non-
member. Parents can register youth at the Luke Air Force Base
Youth Center. For more information on the above programs,
call 623-856-7470.