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Show HILLTOP TIMES `TIMES 13 Sept. 1, 2011 AFMC's Year of the CCAF initiative on track to goals BY KIM DAWLEY Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs W RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — In a mid-year update on Air Force Materiel Command's Year of the Community College of the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, AFMC command chief, said the campaign is yielding positive results and on track to meet or even exceed its goals. Launched in January, YoCCAF aims to increase the number of the command's enlisted Airmen with a CCAF degree by 10 percent in 2011. Throughout the year, 700 mentors at AFMC bases have been reaching out to the 10,000-plus Airmen in the E-4 to E-7 target audience to make that happen, Jaren said. "YoCCAF mentoring should always be face-toface. It's an opportunity to discuss degree plans, academic resources and tuition assistance options," he added. "Just as importantly, though, it's a chance for the mentor to share his or her personal education journey, which is a way to say, 'If I can do it, anyone can!" So far, the mentoring seems to be working well. "With the busiest months for CCAF enrollments still left in 2011, we predict individual enrollments of Airmen assigned to AFMC bases will surpass our historical average," said Shelly Owczarski, chief of Voluntary Education/Library Programs within the command's Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate. "If course enrollments continue at the pace realized in the first nine months of the year, we will surpass 40,000. Right now we are on track to exceed a 20 percent increase in enrollments over last year." Although enrollments are up, YoCCAF's impact on degree completions might take longer to see. "The true impact of the campaign will not be known for 12 to18 months, as most Airmen must take five or more courses to finish their CCAF degree," Owczarski said. "Even so, based upon the significant increase in the number of individuals enrolled and the increase in enrollments for future terms, we predict the number of CCAF graduates from AFMC bases in 2012 will surpass our 10 percent goal." According to Lt. Col. Jonathan Hamill, Community College of the Air Force commandant, AFMC is already breaking records. "Our analysis of the Spring 2011 CCAF graduating class revealed AFMC bases produced a record number of graduates even though the YoCCAF campaign had been under way only three months," he said. "I expect the trend to continue with another record AFMC class this fall. The program's results are a testament to the potent combination of a clear leadership message on the value of education, the hard work of AFMC's education services personnel, and the superb quality of AFMC's enlisted force. "CCAF is proud to partner with General Hoffman, Chief Jaren and team AFMC in their Year of the CCAF program," Hamill continued. "YoCCAF is a fantastic outreach effort designed to inform AFMC enlisted members of the many education benefits the AF provides enlisted personnel and motivate them to pursue their CCAF degrees or further educational goals." Jaren encouraged leadership at the bases to meet with their YoCCAF teams to thank them for the huge difference they are making, but added that there's still time to make the campaign an even bigger success. "Let's re-motivate the team to get back out there and engage the target audience again, especially since many have returned from deployments or transferred into AFMC since the initiative began," he said. "We have momentum — let's see it through!" Based on the success of YoCCAF, Jaren suggested pressing forward next year with the "Year of Continuing Education." "We need to strike while the iron is hot," he said. "We can take it to the next level in 2012. Despite the many strains on our budgets and time, we always need to stress the importance of education." Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander, agreed. Physical fitness, financial fitness and mental fitness (education) are some of the tools we give individuals for continued success when they depart government service, he said. "Year of the Community College of the Air Force has been a great effort and a tremendous initiative," the general said. "An expanded focus could mean an expanded target population — enlisted, officer and civilian. It's important to encourage all of our folks to continue challenging themselves and not say, 'I'm done learning now.' NEWS BRIEFS Water shut-off on Sept. 12 for work at 801-777-2106 or e-mail hill@ pwoc.org . A water outage will occur Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in order to connect water to the new End of Runway Shelter at the north end of Taxiway Alpha. The following buildings will be affected: Buildings 1422, 1423, 1424, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2405, 2406, 2407, 2408, 2409 and 2411. For more information or questions, please contact Paul Waite at 801-777-0584. Commissary sale at Camp Williams 75th wives group to hold garage sale A fundraiser is being held to raise money through a garage sale. Donations are being accepted from any contributors and can be dropped off Sept. 5-9. Clothes, furniture and other items that are collecting dust, taking up space or are no longer needed are asked for to support a good cause. The event will be Sept. 10, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 2237 N. 125 West in Layton. Call 415-645-3969 for directions and information, or if you need assistance with large items. Carnival, movie at WSU Davis Sept. 10 Service members and their families are invited to WSU Davis Campus to a carnival and movie on Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. A memorial service will follow the carnival and then a movie will be shown, "Pirates of the Caribeean: On Stranger Tides." For more information, contact jrmanubay@gmail.com or call 801-725-2553. Protestant Women's Bible studies to start Come join the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) for their fall kick-off on Sept. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the chapel annex. Their theme this year is "Your Kingdom Come" and the group will be offering two different Bible studies this fall. Wee Joy is available for children ages 6 month to 5 years old and there is an unmonitored classroom for homeschoolers. PWOC reports it is God empowered, Christ-centered and spirit led. The group exists as an extension of the chapel and encourages women to grow spiritually within the body of Christ through prayer, the study of God's word, worship and service. Questions? Call the chapel National Guard and Reserve members, military retirees and active duty military service members and immediate family members can take advantage of a Hill Air Force Base Commissary sale planned for Camp Williams in Riverton, Utah. The site at 17800 Camp Williams Road will be held Sept. 16-17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. All authorized commissary shoppers are invited. The event is part of efforts to bring the benefit of shopping at a commissary to areas with military populations not served by a nearby commissary. Sale items may include paper products, soap and cleaning products, canned goods, sodas, water, laundry detergents, and a vareity of other products at a savings that average 30 percent or more. Customers must present a valid Department of Defense identification card that authorizes commissary privileges in order to shop. Cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards are accepted for payment. The use of coupons is highly encouraged. Interested in more sales? Sign up for the Guard/Reserve Sales Schedule at http://www. commissaries.com/guardreserve. Antelope Island Stampede Festival The Antelope Island Stampede Festival begins Friday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. To kick off the festivities representatives will be launching balloons over the 1-15 corridor Friday morning at approx. 6-7 a.m.Committee members and pilots will ride in balloons launced from Kaysville Ponds Park located at 950 S. 50 West,Kaysville, UT. This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with a full line up of entertainment all week-end long. Highlights include the following: National Anthem at 5 p.m. on Friday to kick off the event with skydivers carrying the American flag landing on the field at approx. 5:30 p.m. Kahuna Beach Party Concert - Friday 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (Beach Boy Tribute Band) Fireworks both Friday and Saturday nights - White Rock Bay at the water's edge Hot air balloon launches on Saturday and Sunday mornings www.facebook.com/hill.afmil (weather permitting). All day entertainment on professional stage featuring local bands; professional kite demonstrations including an !QUAD Kite Demo (composed of kite pilots out of Washington and Oregon states and Canada) - six professionally flown kites flown with a choreographed routine to music. The kites are known as "Revs" which are truly multidirectional in the sky with the ability to fly forward, backward, sideways, adjusting speed, and even stopping on a dime to hover nearly motionless in mid-air. 50/50 BMX demonstrations Saturday and Sunday, three times each day - one week from the Dew Tour The Diamond Experience (Neil Diamond Tribute band) Saturday 7 - 9 p.m. Over 40 vendors - including food, merchandise, inflatable bounce area, mechanical bull,climbing wall and pony rides Public "Fly Your Own Kite" area - kite vendors at event Cost to the general public is $15/car payable at the gate (Cash only). For more information contact Kathi Dysert 801-7748200 or 801-589-4646. Stampede 5K/12K on Antelope Island Syracuse City and Davis Hospital are sponsoring their first Syracuse Stampede 5K & 12K Trail Run on Sept. 3, in conjunction with the fifth annual Antelope Island Stampede Festival. Create your own adventure running this rugged trail with a chance to appreciate wildlife at close range and enjoy spectacular views. The race will be professionally timed. Included will be a high-tech shirt. Prizes will be included for the top three (male and female) and top three in each age group (male and female). Drawings will be held for other prizes for registered participants. Free gate entrance to Antelope Island and the Stampede Festival all day of the race ($15 value). There will be a balloon launch during or following the race (based on weather and conditions). Snacks provided by Davis Hospital following the race. Register on the day of race at Antelope Island State Park - 6-7 a.m. Entrance fee $40 for 5K, $50 for 12K, T-shirts not guaranteed. Race begins promptly at 8 a.m. TEAM HILL acebooL.PAGE Become a fan today and stay current on news, events and other happenings on Hill Air Force Base. Is Your FEGLI Life Insurance costing you $40,000 too much? EXAMPLE: 50 Year Old Excellent Health $250,000 in Option 8 FEGLi Life Insurance 20 Year Insurance Need Sex/Age Ins. Amt. Underwriting Category Male, 50 Female, 50 FEGLI Opt B— 20 yr. total cost $250,000 N/A $56,550 $56,550 Penn Mutual 20 Yr. Term total cost $250,000 Non-Tobacco, Preferred Best $11,798.40 $8,875.20 Savings over 20 yr. period $44,751.60 $47,674.80 FEGLI rates are based on current costs, and may be subject to change. Penn Mutual rates are based on guaranteed rates for the Non-Tobacco, Preferred Best category, using the monthly mode of premium. Your cost and savings may vary based on age, amount of coverage, and underwriting class. Call to get your personalized, no obligation comparison to determine what your savings might be. Douglas J. 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