AFMC continues education focus with “Year of the Graduate”

by Kim Dawley
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

1/17/2013 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Building on the success of its "Year of the Community College of the Air Force" campaign in 2011 and "Year of Continuing Education" campaign in 2012, Air Force Materiel Command rolled out a plan for the "Year of the Graduate" Jan. 1, 2013.

The Year of the Graduate, or YoGrad, will still emphasize continuing education across the command but will also recognize those who have completed degrees during this three-phase education campaign.

Efforts from the Year of the CCAF resulted in 1,685 graduates at AFMC bases, the most in the history of the command. The number of AFMC's enlisted Airmen with a CCAF degree went from 24 percent to nearly 30 percent in just one year - more than double the command's goal of a 10 percent increase. With the Year of Continuing Education, the command achieved another 10 percent overall increase, this time at all levels of education rather than just CCAF degrees.

The goal of YoGrad is to inspire those considering or currently working on an education plan to start, continue or complete that plan. Along the way, the campaign will recognize members of the AFMC workforce who have completed a degree program during the two previous campaigns -- or do so during YoGrad.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, AFMC command chief, describes the YoGrad campaign as an excellent way to conclude the three-year focus on education initiatives.

"The first two campaigns were very successful," he said. "We want to follow through on that momentum, and we also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of the AFMC workforce."

According to Senior Master Sgt. John Parris, MAJCOM Secretary of Education, the same structure developed for the previous two campaigns will continue to be used.

"Degree completion at all levels will be the focus, with the goal of an overall 10 percent increase across the command," he said. "Peer mentoring will be a key aspect of YoGrad, the Secretaries of Education will continue to guide and monitor the campaign at their respective installations, and Voluntary Education personnel will work with the on-base schools."

For more information about the Year of the Graduate campaign -- and to read the monthly "My Educational Journey" series -- visit http://www.afmc.af.mil/library/featuredtopicarchive/YoGrad.asp