CCAF helps Airmen advance careers Published Aug. 12, 2011 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Every enlisted member of the Air Force is a college student. When they enlist, Airmen are automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force, where they can pursue an associate degree and take other classes to advance their careers. While Airmen don't have to take CCAF courses, they will need some if they want to advance to certain ranks, said Brian Mertz, 78th Force Support Squadron acting educational services officer. Airmen can take courses in the classroom and online. They can also "audit" some classes by passing a test. The end result for Airmen who seek higher education through CCAF is they can achieve an associate degree after reaching the five-level in their career field. "CCAF is vital to an Airman who wants to make a career of the Air Force," Mertz said. Staff Sgt. John Caponong, a JSTARS airborne operations technician instructor in the 116th Air Control Wing, graduated CCAF in April with an associate's degree. It allows him to start as a junior in his pursuit of a bachelor's at American Military University. "Without CCAF, I would have had to start as a freshman," he said. "It gives me a stepping stone to apply for officer training school." Caponong was a Pitsenbarger Award winner, which is given to exceptional CCAF students by the Air Force Association and includes a $400 scholarship toward a bachelor's degree. The award is named after Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger, a Medal of Honor recipient who died in Vietnam saving others. According to its website, CCAF is the largest community college system in the world, partnering with 90 Air Force schools and 1,500 civilian colleges to serve 320,000 active, guard and reserve military personnel. CCAF is accredited through Air University.