LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Editor's Note: Mentoring Beyond Borders is a series focused on Airmen from different geographic locations sharing various lessons learned from their mentors.
"Congratulations," the dean said as he spoke to my graduating class. "You have just joined the 30 percent of Americans who have a college degree."
As we all clapped and cheered for each other, I thought, "Now what?"
I had a college degree, but as an enlisted Airman in the U.S. Air Force, I had no idea what I could do with my education - aside from trying to earn my commission. The thought stayed with me, even as I continued to pursue my educational goals - earning a Community College of the Air Force degree, and settling on the final two classes for a Master of Business Administration degree. How could I use my education to further my career?
"Education is important on so many different levels," said Senior Master Sgt. Blenda Mease, 633rd Air Base Wing Command Post superintendent. "When you become more educated, you bring that knowledge back to your job."
Mease holds two CCAF degrees, a bachelor's, a master's and is currently working on her second professional certificate. Like many Airmen, she enlisted with no college credit, and only intended to serve four years. After deciding to stay in and earning her first CCAF degree as a staff sergeant, Mease felt compelled to continue her education. She received her MBA just before she promoted to senior master sergeant.
"It's important to start early in your career," said Mease, who is a subject-matter expert with 20 years of experience. "You have so much more time as a young Airman to get involved in college courses."
By starting an education early and finishing quickly, Mease said Airmen are looked at more favorably for awards and potential promotion to the senior noncommissioned officer tier.
"It's simple," she said. "You need an education in order to promote. You can't expect to make senior or chief master sergeant without at least a CCAF degree. And while a bachelors isn't mandatory, it does influence how the [promotion] board looks at your package."
Mease said the demand for educated Airmen has increased exponentially during her career.
"When I first came in, the CCAF degree was presented as an opportunity," she said. "Now it's a mandatory requirement before you can sew on senior [master sergeant]. The Air Force is looking to create a more educated force."
Thanks to that cultural change, the number of Airmen earning college degrees is higher than ever. In 2011, 18,494 Airmen received a CCAF degree, making the competition to earn a bachelor's and beyond even tougher.
"Having a bachelor's degree today is almost like having yesterday's high-school diploma," Mease said. "You limit yourself by not pushing to that next level."
Airmen who motivate themselves to take college courses set themselves apart from others who don't, Mease said.
"If I have a young Airman going to school or finishing their degree, they are more apt to be put in for awards, given different positions and presented more responsibilities" she said. "Education speaks volumes for their dedication level."
Even with all the benefits, both tangible and intangible, Mease said some Airmen are still reluctant to take those first steps to higher education.
"A lot of Airmen are afraid," she said. "They are right out of high school, and brand new to higher education. I try and take them with me to the Education Office so they can see what the counselors can offer them."
Mease said by physically taking an Airman to a Base Education Office, she ensures they have firsthand knowledge of the numerous benefits a college degree would afford them.
The Langley Air Force Base, Va. Education Office, located at 450 Weyland Road, has information on the various opportunities Airmen can pursue on their path to achieving their educational goals, such as degree counseling, course enrollment and college information.
"Sometimes supervisors have to take that extra step," she said. "You've got to take the time to take them there."
From that first step into the education office, Mease said Airmen are open to an infinite number of possibilities an education could provide for them, such as developing future Air Force leaders.
"As Air Force leaders we are supposed to be able to speak to different audiences, write different documents and mentor in a variety of different ways," Mease said. "The better educated you are, the easier you are able to do those things."
Mease said that an Airman's goals will likely change as their career develops. She encourages the junior-enlisted tier to make education a priority early on, and stick with that commitment.
"Don't give up," she said. "Education is a complete investment in yourself and your future. It is never a waste of time."