Air Force Pays Up to $4,500 for Professional Certifications
by Jeff Schogol, Staff writer AF Times November 9, 2015

If you're looking to land a job in the private sector, the Air Force will pay up to $4,500 for you to earn professional certifications.

The Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line, or Air Force COOL, pays to cover the costs of books, coursework and exams for more than 767 professional certifications, officials said. Enlisted airmen in 190 career fields are eligible for the program.

"We pay on behalf of the member, like tuition assistance does," Jason Smith, director of credentialing programs at the Community College of the Air Force, said.

Air Force COOL is meant to bridge the gap between the training airmen receive in the Air Force and the requirements for civilian credentials, Smith told Air Force Times on Nov. 3. In its first seven months, the program has paid $186,000 for airmen's credentials, he said.

"Credentialing has two purposes," Smith said. "First, it continues to professionalize the enlisted force by providing up-to-date industry-recognized credentials in an airman's job. Second, it provides a way for airmen to prepare for civilian life by ensuring they are ready for work in the civilian sector. There are many aspects to credentialing including certifications and licenses."

The program will pay for certifications that are at least 80 percent related to an airman's duties for his or her primary Air Force specialty code, Smith said. A contractor working for CCAF conducts an analysis that compares an airman's technical training, career development courses and training plans to the objectives for the credential exam to see if all meet Air Force COOL's criteria, he said. Experts at CCAF then verify the analysis.

The most sought certifications include the Federal Aviation Administration's Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate, Certified Manager, Project Management Professional, Certified Information Systems Security Professional and Professional in Human Resources.

The Air Force Virtual Education Center's COOL page has a "search credentials" option that allows airmen to see the professional certifications related to their AFSC for which they are eligible under the program.

"Anything that says 'Air Force COOL eligible' we will pay for — unlimited," Smith said. "We will pay for unlimited credentials up to the $4,500 cap."

Airmen must be in good standing with the Air Force to be eligible for the program, he said. That means they must have passed their physical fitness tests, they can't have a referral report, they can't be on a control roster and they can't have an Unfavorable Information File.

Right now, airmen can earn credit toward their CCAF degrees by obtaining 50 of the credentials and licensures that Air Force COOL will help them obtain, Smith said.

"That will eventually grow," Smith said. "We're doing this mapping to each degree program to see what credential matches each degree program — and which ones are being sought after most by industry and airmen — so that we can better offer better credit for these credentials."

Security Guru to Retire After 63 Years in Military, DOD
by Takahiro Takiguchi: photo by GySgt Tiffany Carter, Stripes Japan, published: November 05, 2015

When some people at Yokota Air Base think of security, they no doubt think of Norman Mash. At age 83, U.S. Forces Japan security manager is set to retire after 63 years of service on Nov. 30.

Mash’s oversight of personnel and physical security for USFJ headquarters includes security training, clearance processing, and working with his Japanese counterparts. He has overseen security for large-scale exercises such as Keen Edge and Keen Sword, according to Frank Sheehan, Mash’s supervisor.

“Under his leadership, the United States Forces, Japan’s security team was recognized by national and theater organizations on numerous occasions for its outstanding security program,” Sheehan said.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Mash enlisted in U.S. Air Force in 1952. He moved to Yokota Air Base in 1974. He retired as chief master sergeant at Yokota in 1985, after what he sharply recalls as, “33 years, one month and seven days” of military service. He started his civilian career as a security officer with Fifth Air Force Security Forces that same year. Two years later, Mash took on his current position as security manager.

Over the years, Mash has headed security in Vietnam, liaised with Tokyo Metropolitan Police Agency and oversaw security during Operation Tomodach, following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. He can reminisce about interacting with Gen. Curtis LeMay on Air Force bases in Nebraska and Idaho, and President John F. Kennedy and his family on Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass.

“He is always the first one in the office coming in at 5 a.m. every morning,” said Sheehan, who also describes him as humble, modest and extremely reliable. “He never misses work due to illness and rarely takes a day off.”

An avid athlete who once won Yokota’s racquetball championship, played football in his youth and even tried out for the Chicago Cubs, Mash still loves to bowl. In addition to taking tours, shopping with his wife and staying active in his local town council (Akiruno), he says he also looks forward to doing volunteer work at Yokota.

Q: How does it feel to finally retire after 63 years of service with US Forces Japan?

A: I was with USFJ from February 1987 to end 30 November 2015. From March 1974 to Feb 1985 I was active duty with the 374th Security Forces and 5th Air Force Security Forces here at Yokota until 1985 and then retirement. Meeting and helping people; teaching English at no cost to Japanese children that lived in my Town of Akiruno. How does it feel to finally retire? I did not intend to stay this long and only did so because I had no DEROS as to when I had to leave.

Q: What are some of the most memorable events in your career?

A: Serving on the battlegrounds of South Vietnam and helping my fellow security forces members stay alive so that they could return home to their families. Challenges have been many during my career and one that sticks out is to never be a raciest and accept (people) for what they are, as they know no better.

Q: Who were some of the most famous people you encountered; what was your impression?

A: I’ve been impressed by many but the person I will never forget would be President John F. Kennedy as I was Stationed at Otis Air Force Base, Mass., as a security policeman when he was assassinated. In addition, I and my fellow security policemen performed security duties at the base hospital where Jacqueline Kennedy was admitted with medical issues. I have news clips dated 22 Nov. 1964 of these events.

Q: When were you in Vietnam; what was it like?

A: I served in Vietnam in 1967-68 for 11 months and 28 days in a place named Pliku, near Cambodia with the requirement of serving 1 year. Staying alive during the hours of darkness because you were never attacked during the day light hours.

Q: What are your plans now that you’ve retired?

A: Spend more time with my wife, which I have not done during my military and civilian career. I always remember that God did not put us on this earth forever, as he has a better place for you.

Q: Are there any other thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

A: Yes- You can do very little with faith but you can do nothing without it; remember that we make more enemies by what we say than friends by what we do. It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them; and lastly, anger is not only inevitable, it is necessary as its absence means indifference, the most disastrous of all human failings.

Sailor Becomes First Air Force SFS Flight Chief 

by Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi, Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
7/24/2015 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC

A sailor assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., became the first Navy Master at Arms to become an Air Force certified security forces flight chief.

Due to a dwindling number of certified flight chiefs, Petty Officer 1st Class Ethan Holland volunteered to participate in a 60 day certification to become one. He completed his training in June and is now in charge of an average of 16 people per shift to include Airmen and civilians who provide security programs throughout the installation.

Holland first arrived in Charleston in August 2014 and was assigned to the 628th SFS Harbor Patrol Unit protecting the waterways at the JB Charleston Weapons Station. After hearing about the need for certified flight chiefs he gave his leadership a call.

"When I made contact I was expecting to be a fill in or back up flight chief and I thought I was going to continue to work harbor patrol," Holland said. "To my surprise I became a fulltime flight chief."

During the training period, Holland was tasked with learning every job a security forces defender, from E-1 to E-6, would need to know while on the job. He became proficient with entry controller, patrolman, Base Defense Operation Center controller and flight chief procedures and learned all operating instructions and Air Force Instructions associated with each position.

At the conclusion of the training, defenders are required to pass a test consisting of a written and verbal exam, weapons knowledge exam and a practical scenario test.

"The most stressful part about the training was the test," Holland said. "I was the first Sailor to take it and I didn't want to give the Navy a bad reputation."

Holland scored a 98 percent and is among the top 10 percent in the squadron for test scores.

As a flight chief, Holland has a long list of responsibilities to include leading, managing, supervising and performing force protection duties for all base personnel and resources. A top priority for him is ensuring Airmen protecting the base are well take care of, he said.

Captain Jonathan Blount, one of Holland's supervisors from the 628th SFS, said, "MA1 Holland's story is truly what the joint base concept was meant to do, bring multiple services together to do the mission."

Becoming the first Sailor to become an Air Force flight chief has opened the door to others who are interested in following in his footsteps. There are currently three Sailors at JB Charleston going through the flight chief training program.

"It's always a good feeling to know you are the first to do something," said Holland. "I would like to thank my Air Force counterparts who helped me throughout the qualification process. I couldn't have done it without their support."

According to Holland, the best part of the job is working with another branch to accomplish the mission.

"I've never been in charge of another branch's service members and working with the Air Force has been an honor," Holland added. "I've gotten to work with dedicated service members who always put the mission first. Charleston is a great place to be and I enjoy being a part of the 628th Security Force Squadron."

AFSFA Chapter Awards Program Begins!
“Encouraging Excellence by Recognizing Superior Performance”

AFSFA has some outstanding work being accomplished by our chapters every day. In an effort to recognize their efforts AFSFA has begun a Chapter Recognition Program where every year the Regional Directors and Board of Directors will select the Best Chapter of the Year and a Runner-Up. Along with bragging rights the two selected chapters will have their chapter’s name engraved on a permanent traveling plaque, be awarded their own guidon to keep and display at chapter meetings and other events and will have their name on the AFSFA web site.

Chapter Chairmen and Regional Directors were emailed the program this week and chapters can begin assembling their submission packages for the 2015-2016 period now.

For more information review the policy letter at: http://afsfaonline.com/index.php/members/member-documents/120-afsfa-chapter-recognition-policy-statement