Achieving a CCAF degree can enrich, broaden our Air Force career Published March 23, 2010 By Master Sgt. Shawn Mount 821st Support Squadron THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- The Air Force places special emphasis on personal growth and this growth encompasses supporting and leading in our military and local communities. This also comes into play with our continuing self-development through education. The "whole-person" concept is vital to our daily lives as members of the world's foremost air and space force. Emphasis on continued education is evident in the statistics of higher education in our enlisted force. According to the Air Force Personnel Center Web site, Air Force active-duty demographics published Jan. 7 show that 70.2 percent of the enlisted force has some semester hours towards a college degree. Airmen lead the charge in this category with 78 percent having some semester hours towards a college degree. Additionally, 18.7 percent have an associate's degree or equivalent semester hours and 5.4 percent have a bachelor's degree. Attaining a Community College of the Air Force degree is a sign of our commitment to the Air Force and an indication that we strive for excellence in understanding our individual career fields. The CCAF is directly tied to our Air Force specialties and proves that we have taken time to focus our education on what it is we do for the Air Force on a day-to-day basis. It is the most basic step in living up to the Air Force Core Value, "Excellence in all we do." Also, it is required for senior non-commissioned officers to have a CCAF to be eligible for senior rater endorsement as of October 2007. If you want to be promoted to senior master sergeant or chief master sergeant then you will need to have at least a CCAF in your records. Not planning on making the Air Force a career? You may be surprised at how many senior noncommissioned officers have said the same thing as young Airmen. The pride of what we do every day, ensuring the freedom, liberty and safety of our nation is a siren call to turning our "job" into a "profession." To achieve our full potential in our profession, the CCAF is a must-have. The CCAF is not just a piece of paper - it is our ticket to a rewarding and enriching Air Force career.