AFMC command chief: Education makes difference for years to come

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, command chief Air Force Materiel Command, visited Hill Air Force Base on Feb. 17.

During his visit, he was able to visit many base facilities and talk to Airmen about Air Force's Year of Continuing Education.

"Education helps keep an Airman's career on track as well as gives you those additional skills and tools that enhance your ability to perform your job," said Jaren. "It allows you to fulfill your full potential and make sure no doors are closed."

Jaren said that having personal face-to-face contact with the Airmen may help encourage them to see the importance of education.

"Continuing education is a voluntary program," said Jaren. "It's not easy going to school and working full time in the Air Force, but if mentors share their stories of success with others, then it tells the Airmen, 'if I can do it, you can do it.'"

Jaren said that last year during the Air Force's Year of the Community College of the Air Force, AFMC had the most degrees ever in the history of the command.

"From the hard work of the Airmen all the way from Major Command to unit levels, everyone was striving to make progress in education and it resulted in incredible accomplishments," said Jaren. "Not only were AFMC degree rates up, but also the rates of all of our mission partners."

With the progress made from last year's emphasis on education, with continuing efforts, the Air Force is hoping to continue with more degrees and accomplishments from Air Force personnel.

"I think we made great progress with our education initiatives and if we continue, we can make lasting change," said Jaren. "I think that if we continue with the education campaign, it will make a difference in people's lives and the best part is, some people may not realize the difference for years to come."

Jaren said that one of the most important benefits of an education is that once you earn it, it can never be taken away from you.