CCAF affiliate school creates two new online courses for DOD personnel

by Michael Peer
USAF Expeditionary Operations School

1/30/2015 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ -- During the days of vacation, excitement, and reflection that surround the beginning of a new year, setting resolutions is a common occurrence for many. If your resolution was advancing your education, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations School located at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center can get you started.

The USAF EOS recently began two new distance learning courses in response to combatant commander and AF educational needs. The "Air Force Expeditionary Site Survey Process" and "AF Fundamentals of Expeditionary Mobility Operations" joined 23 other interactive distance learning courses developed by the USAF EOS here.

Sgt. Ellsworth Cupid of the 11th Quartermaster Company, who completed "Intro to Air Mobility Operations," said the course was extremely informative. "This course surprised me, I did not expect to learn as much material as I did," Cupid said.

The courses are open to all Active, Reserve, Air National Guard, and Civilian Department of Defense members with a desire to learn Expeditionary Mobility skills. The curriculum offers comprehensive training especially designed for new to mid-level personnel.

The school provides traditional classroom education at the USAF EC, but develops online courses as well to provide flexible options to help Total Force students reach educational and professional goals. More than 2,000 students began online training managed by USAF EOS instructors this January.

"Being that I was out of the career-field for a year, this training is a big help in me getting back my 1CO skills," said Chief Master Sgt. Patrick McFarlin, of Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, about his experience in "Aviation Resource Management Fundamentals."

The amount of time it takes to complete a course varies, from 3-36 hours, based on which course you enroll in and your individual learning pace. Some of the available courseware also serves as a prerequisite to attend advanced training conducted by USAF EOS instructors.

"With over 30,000 graduates within the last 12 months, our online training provides a superior introduction to many of the mobility concepts our people face every day," said Col. Jay Junkins, USAF EOS commander. "Personnel from any DoD service can gain valuable information on many AMC processes such as how we load aircraft or procedures regarding the shipment of hazardous materials."

Steve Mortensen, 62nd Operations Group, said the "Flying Hour Reconciliation" course provided an "excellent manner of capturing material in an easy-to-understand format. It was very valuable."

The online courses offered by the USAF EOS are the first distance learning training to be accredited by the Community College of the Air Force. Enlisted Air Force members can receive credit towards their degree by completing one of the CCAF accredited distance learning courses and then passing a proctored exam at their local base Education Center

Whether it is a general mobility enterprise concept like "Introduction to Air Mobility Operations," or an Air Force Specialty Code specific opportunity like "Aviation Resource Management Fundamentals" there is something for everyone.

"This training was very informative and well thought out," said Master Sgt. James Melford, 752nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who participated in the "Intro to (Mobility Air Forces) Maintenance Production" course. "The module flowed in such a manner it gave me a better understanding of the big picture."