AFMC Command News

My educational journey: Better late than never

  • Published
  • By Deborah McQuillar
  • 72d Force Support Squadron
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  As a child, I viewed grade school as a wonderful social experience, punctuated by really great escapes called recess, lunch, music and gym class. As I saw it, academic subjects got in the way of my fun -- so it was no great surprise that my report card reflected my impression of school. As a result, I spent a lot of my time after school grounded or restricted to the dinner table to complete school work. Although high school was an even better social experience, I had to buckle down and get better grades, because of new priorities: football games, dates and dances.

After graduation from high school, reality ended my social life. In light of my dismal record of academic performance, my parents refused to pay for my college tuition -- a wise choice on their part. Since I had to pay for my own tuition, I did not want to waste my hard earned money by failing a course. After my first semester I thought there has to be a better way to pay for my apartment, car and college tuition and still continue to enjoy my new found freedom. On my way to work one morning it dawned on me after I passed the military recruiting office, that the Air Force might be the answer. I remembered my father used his GI Bill to earn a degree after serving as a bombardier in the Army Air Force during WWII. The AF recruiter's office was my first stop after work.

Given my academic record, it was not a surprise that I did not do well on the ASVAB, thus denying my opportunity to apply for the jobs that interested me. Words of wisdom from my mom and teachers came back to haunt me -- "someday you will regret that you did not apply yourself and do your best in school." I did do well enough to qualify for entry as an open general recruit, which meant the AF would choose my job for me, lucky me!

I was placed in the food service career field. The Air Force personnel technician who read my application -- which stated, "I do NOT want to work with food" -- missed the NOT or had a great laugh at my expense. But all was not lost. I received a direct duty assignment to Eglin AFB, Florida; translation sun, fun and the beach! Two years later, after hard work during the week and the beach on the weekend, I decided it was time to head back to college.

Once again I was in a money-motivated situation. I had to earn a good grade or pay the government back, if I failed a class. To my amazement, I learned that by applying myself I could not only pass my courses but earn A's. A totally new experience for me! This was reinforced when I cross trained into the education and training career field and graduated from tech school with honors.

Off and on during my AF career I took a class here and there. Somewhere along the way my focus shifted from my social life to my family, duty performance and studying for promotion. College was placed on the back burner.

Promotion to master sergeant led to an additional duty as the squadron Career Advisor. In this function I counseled young Airmen on enrollment/completing their CCAF degree. I realized that if I was going to "talk the talk" I needed to "walk the walk." So I was motivated to focus and complete my CCAF degree. Later that year I learned I would not receive a senior rater endorsement if I did not have a CCAF degree. I was finally on the right track since I could check that box.

The reality stick hit me over the head again after retirement. I had 15 years of training experience but since I did not have my bachelor's degree, I did not have the key qualification for a training coordinator position. So I took a low stress, low paying job as a tech data clerk. Twenty seven years after graduating from high school, I was finally degree goal focused. Taking two classes a semester, I completed my degree and was promoted to a training coordinator position at the same company where I started as a clerk.

Degree completion opened up another rewarding opportunity for me. It qualified me to apply for the Military Testing Control Officer at Tinker AFB and allowed me to return to work with the AF family I so greatly missed since retirement.

My educational journey proves it is never too late to earn your college degree. However, why put it off? With the correct motivation, proper planning and AF benefits, it makes more sense to complete your degree while on active duty. It will open so many doors for you while in the AF and after you have served. I loved serving my country. However if I had it to do over again I would make one change; my education goal would receive a higher priority.