Posted on 11/02/2006 8:58:28 PM PST by SandRat
11/1/2006 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- At 19 years old, Senior Airman Sharon Hawley is the youngest of more than 9,100 graduates earning their degrees in October at the Community College of the Air Force here.
The integrated avionics mechanic, assigned to 412th Maintenance Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completed the prerequisites for her aviation technology degree in less than nine months.
"I began the course in March 2005 with credit for three classes from another school, took three classes at CCAF and CLEPed three classes," Airman Hawley said. "That allowed me to complete the course requirements by December 2005."
She said she was not familiar with the College Level Examination Program until she went to CCAF and found it very handy because it allowed her to finish her degree quickly.
Dr. James Larkin, CCAF director of institutional effectiveness, said Airman Hawley was not only the youngest graduate in her class, but is also one of the youngest graduates in the history of the college's more than 290,000 students.
"It's heartwarming to see someone her age take advantage of the opportunity to get their degree from CCAF," he said. "The school's average active duty graduate has been in the Air Force for 10.6 years when they get their degree, and the oldest graduate was 59 years old."
Airman Hawley works in an F-16A Fighting Falcon "back shop" avionics test station where she tests parts from F-16s and maintains the station. She said she joined the Air Force because she wanted to do something different.
"I went to a recruiter and six days later, I was on my way to basic training," the Airman said. "My job is very interesting and new for me. I never thought I would be doing anything like this."
Following approval of the concept in 1971 by then Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. John Ryan, the Community College of the Air Force was established April 1, 1972. The school's vision is to be the foremost occupational education institution that prepares the world's best expeditionary-minded air, space and cyberspace enlisted leaders.
"CCAF was really helpful for me, and the people were very motivating," Airman Hawley said. "I was also able to earn my general education associates degree."
Students of CCAF complete about 1.6 million semester hours of course credit each year, and the school has a stake in the job knowledge and performance of every enlisted person in the Air Force. The average graduate is 33.5 years old, is a staff sergeant and majors in Aviation Technology Maintenance.
A two-year institution exclusively serving enlisted personnel, CCAF awards associate in applied science degrees after students successfully complete degree requirements. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits CCAF, through Air University, to award associates degrees.
Seems like a smart girl. Maybe she won't get stuck in Irak.
Jon Carry.
;-)
HALP HUR JON CARRY!!!
Go AF Go - them gurls r smart.
Her not thupid.
Another stupid military recruit, eh Kerry? What a putz he is. Kudos to Airman Howley and may she have a long and distinguished enlistment.
Good for her.
The Community College of the AIr Force is a cool deal, it is accreditaed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - meaning the credits may be tranferred to other colleges, my CCAF degree help me to finish up my BS.
And speaking of BS and Jon Cary....
the POG can KMA.
I don't believe this story one minute. There is absolutely no way in heck that this Airman could possibly have finished a degree in 9 months if she does not even have an education and barely can even read. I always thought that military personnel were a pretty smart bunch, but then I heard the truth out of John Kerry and found out that they are just stupid (myself included). HUGH SARC TAG!!!!!! TENT SIZE.
Post for later read.
F-16A? They're still in service?
She might be working on F16A's; Edwards has a lot of wierd test stuff.
She might be part of a test project on turning F16's into drones like the F4 is now.
OK, that makes sense. Thanks - the 16A seemed like an awfully old fighter to still be in active service.
Duh! Stoopid fingers - you get stuck in Irak!
They are still flying F4's; albeit - being prepped for being drones. There is alot of testing going on to turn F16's into drones, but they are having issues with them because the landing gear is not as strong as the F-4's. The autopilot they put in the F-4 isnt sensitive enough for the F-16 and they are crashing the F-16's because of the landing gear, I have been told.
They also have regenerated F-16's from storage for modification and resale to friendly foriegn countries.
This must be a mistake.. we all "know" that our military is very stoopid. JFKerry told us so...
get your facts correct befor posting such obvious errors
/sarc
ping
Thanks for this SandRat. These are the BEST of the BEST and they are our younger Brothers Sisters. God Bless them.
What a dummy. Kerry could have done it in two weeks...while recovering from wounds that earned him three purple hearts.
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