Airmen can save money, get degrees quicker

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathon Carnell
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Airmen working toward an official degree through the Community College of the Air Force or any other university can now meet the requirements quicker at Travis Air Force Base.

Airmen can accomplish more courses and save time through credit-by-examination programs, such as the College-Level Examination Program or Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Subject Standardized Tests, which will be available April 1 at the bases Education Center.

“On average a CLEP or DSST test takes a member an hour to complete,” said Joel Boyea, 60th Air Mobility Wing Education Services specialist. “Instead of online or in a classroom, which may take eight to 16 weeks to complete.”

Both credit-by-examination programs allow Airmen to earn credit for college courses by taking and passing tests in various subject areas.

Staff Sgt. Justin Harrison, 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron NCO in charge of expeditionary training, explained that he can take six classes focused on his particular degree through tuition-assistance and test out of the general education requirements with these programs at no additional costs.

Each free exam can save an Airman one-sixth of their $4,500 yearly tuition-assistance.

“On average an Airman spends $750 in TA for a college course,” Boyea said. “Multiply that by thousands of those Air Force wide that take advantage of CLEP and DSST testing, and one can see the savings.”

This also means that Travis Airmen can take more time to be with their families when they take a slight pause from rapidly projecting American power anytime, anywhere.

“CLEP and DSST tests helped me use my TA for classes that actually pertain to my degree and not the general education fodder,” Harrison said. “More importantly, the chance to take [these exams] allow me to spend more time with my family.”

These programs aren’t new, but are returning to Travis after a six-month break.

Boyea explained that in November 2018 Travis’ prior National Test Center decided not to renew their Memorandum of Understanding, so the education office diligently looked for a replacement.

“Starting this April 1, Brandman University will be Team Travis’ new national Test Center,” Boyea said. “So, walk in and take advantage of the programs.”

Airmen can attain study materials at the base library and the Education Center has handouts which contain CLEP and DSST study websites.

Walk in hours are 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Education Center at 707-424-3444.