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Premiere education and training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bryan Hull
  • 446th Airlift Wing

The best education and training office in the Air Force Reserve lives here at the Rainier Wing.

Air Force Reserve Command awarded the 2015 Nathan Altschuler Outstanding Education and Training Program of the Year to the 446th Force Support Squadron Education and Training Office.

“What makes this the best education and training office is the collaborative effort we have with the other units in the wing,” said Senior Master Sgt. John Besselman, 446th FSS chief of force development.  “By making our Reservists aware of the programs we have available, our wing Community College of the Air Force graduate numbers increased by almost 100 percent.”

In addition to the unit award, two members of the education and training office were recognized for their superior work performance.

Besselman was named the Force Support Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for Air Reserve Component, and Michael Anderson was named the 446th Airlift Wing Civilian of the Year.

“The education and training office is a key place for Reservists,” said Master Sgt. Troy Leiker, noncommission officer in charge of testing. “But it goes beyond just the education portion. It’s also about Professional Military Education and professional development. Everything the education and training office manages assists Airmen in their growth and career development.”

The education and training office also assists Airmen with testing, formal training, and Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, such as tuition assistance and the GI Bill.

“I have nothing but great things to say about the education and training office,” said Master Sgt. Russ Allen, 86th Aerial Port Squadron quality assurance. “They’ve made it such an easy step-by-step process to help me earn my CCAF degree. They are always there to help and keep me on track.”

Last year, the 446th Education Office offered six different college classes during lunch time, said Besselman. Moreover, 51 Airmen earned college credits through the College Level Examination Program, which offers 33 exams in five subject areas. These Airmen earned a combined 153 semester hours towards their Community College of the Air Force degrees.

“What best describes force development is premiere customer service,” said Besselman. “It’s a ton of work but we strive to provide the same level of service from our lowest ranking enlisted Airmen to our highest ranking commissioned officers.”