Education office earns MAJCOM-level award

by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Staff Sgt. Travis EdwardsAcademic service counselors make themselves available during the education fair held Aug. 16 at the Kaisers- lautern Military Community Center on Ramstein. The fair hosted many different military-friendly colleges offered through the Ramstein Education Center to help answer some of the frequently asked questions from KMC  members in the area.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards
Academic service counselors make themselves available during the education fair held Aug. 16 at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center on Ramstein. The fair hosted many different military-friendly colleges offered through the Ramstein Education Center to help answer some of the frequently asked questions from KMC members in the area.

During a recent commander’s call, members of the Ramstein Education Office were awarded the 2012 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Nathan Altschuler Outstanding Education and Training Program-Team Program Award.
The award recognizes the office that provides service members the best tools for their education.

“I’m honored and happy that we won this award,” said Keith Davis, 86th Force Support Squadron chief of education and training. “It shows the caliber of everyone who works in the office and shows we genuinely care about our customers.”

The education office personnel accomplished more than they have in previous years, with less people.

“This is a fantastic achievement; we’ve done so much with 66 percent less manpower,” said Mark Rix, 86th FSS education services specialist.

Personnel at the education office didn’t cut 60 percent of their services, they worked through the reduction to continue offering their wide array of services.

Some of the accomplishments from the past year include winning the Barry Cobb Award as one of the best education and training services, executing $7.4 million in tuition assistance and facilitating 3,000 college level exams.

“We’re really committed to helping people get their education; we don’t turn people away,” Davis said. “Even if we can’t help someone, we’ll point them in the right direction so they can explore their options. We worry more about the end goal, seeing the final product of months of education. The last four (Community College of the Air Force) graduating classes we’ve had have set the record for the largest class in USAFE-AFAFRICA.”

At the end of the day, it’s not about working to earn awards, it’s about seeing service members walk away with a diploma, Davis said.

“Awards are a secondary thing with us,” Davis said. “We strive to ensure members get their education in the best way possible.”

For more information about education, contact the education office at 480-2032 or 06371/472032.