Air Force culture classes help Airmen finish CCAF

Published Nov. 4, 2011
By Staff Sergeant Michael Williams
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE Colo. -- The Community College of the Air Force Associates in Applied Science degree has been one of the many educational benefits available to Airmen looking to enter the ranks of higher education since 1972. Each year about 1.6 million semester hours are earned by students enrolled in a CCAF program, but for many junior enlisted Airmen some of these credits don't quite fulfill the 16 credit hour residency requirement needed to complete their CCAF degree.

"Residency credit is credit received by completing course work offered through the degree granting institution," said Chuck Strang, Buckley's Chief of Force Development. "Residency-granting courses allow CCAF to put their stamp of approval on the degrees they offer."

For some, this residency requirement is taken care of once they graduate from an Air Force technical school or Airmen Leadership School, both of which are considered residency granting programs by CCAF. For those enterprising Airmen who attended a joint service technical school and want to get their residency requirements before they attend Airmen Leadership school there is another option. These Airmen can take the Introduction to Culture or Introduction to Cross Culture Communication online classes offered by the Air Force Culture and Language Center.

The courses offer Airmen instruction in the principles of culture from an Air Force perspective and teach Airmen how to communicate across cultural boundaries. Both classes fulfill three credits of social science or program elective credit and since they're offered by an Air Force-approved school, Airmen can earn up to six credits towards completion of the CCAF residency requirement. The classes consist of readings, multimedia clips, short quizzes and simulations.

"You can't beat the price because it's free, it's at your own pace and it's on your own time," says Tech. Sgt. Scott Tardiff, who took the Introduction to Culture Class during the 2010 spring semester.

The courses do have a limited enrollment of 750 students so Airmen are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Registration and enrollment for the fall session of the Introduction to Culture course runs through Nov. 2. Registration for the spring session runs Feb. 16, 2012 through March 14, 2012.

For information on the next Introduction to Cross Culture Communication course contact the Air Force Culture and Language Center website: http://culture.af.mil/index.html.

Air Force culture classes help airmen finish CCAF