First retired wounded warrior earns Community College of the Air Force associate's degree

Published July 16, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- When creating an Air Force career, importance is placed on Airmen earning a Community College of the Air Force associate's degree.

Each degree takes commitment as Airmen work full time while also going to college classes. However, what happens if a member is medically retired or separated before receiving their CCAF?

Retired Staff Sgt. Jason Ellis, former command and control technician, knows exactly what happens in that case. He received his degree retroactively through a new program May 23, 2013 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He became the first Wounded Warrior to graduate through the program.

While deployed to Iraq in 2003, Ellis was injured severely enough that the Air Force chose to discharge him later that same year. He eventually was fully retired from military service.

A legislative change in 2012 created the CCAF Wounded Warrior Program. The program makes it possible for combat wounded, ill and injured Airmen who commenced but did not finish their CCAF degree to continue their degree program for up to 10 years after their separation.

Before his injury, Ellis had earned his CCAF in Emergency Management, but was discharged before receiving it. Ellis was informed through his Wounded Warrior care manager of the new wounded warrior program. On Oct. 22, 2012 he was awarded with the degree he had earned.

"Getting my CCAF felt good because it was something I had been trying to achieve and it felt great getting it," said Ellis.

Not only has Ellis earned his CCAF, but also a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of South Florida and two other associate's degrees.

Col. James Hodges, 6th Mission Support Group commander, talked to the graduates and then recognized Ellis.

"I was honored to recognize him, honored that the first CCAF happened here at MacDill Air Force Base," said Hodges. "He adapted to his injuries, overcame and succeeded in an unimaginable way. He is not only an inspiration to his kids, but to Airmen as well."

This program allows the Air Force to extend its commitment to these members into the post-separation period and meet its pledge to care for warriors who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country.

His wife and five kids are part of what drives Ellis to be resilient and keep going after his sacrifice.

"I'm going to continue my education by pursuing my master's degree at some point," said Ellis. "Education has always been important to me and I want to set those standards for my kids."

Angelica Ellis, his wife who attended the graduation, was almost speechless as he received his certificate officially giving him his degree.

Ellis received a standing ovation.

Smiling, Ellis left the stage and the other graduates proceeded to the stage to get their degrees.

"Education opens up doors for everyone and opportunities for something greater than what they may have had," said Hodges. "Education helps Airmen across the ranks to solve problems and think quickly."

The creation of the CCAF Wounded Warrior program will allow former Airmen to finish their degrees. Through formal education more opportunities will be open to those Airmen.

There are qualifications necessary to enroll in the program. For more information on the program contact the CCAF at www.au.af.mil and click on the Wounded Warrior Program link on the right hand side of the page.

At the U.S. Air Force Academy there is a statue of an eagle and fledgling that Hodges passed every day for four years as a student. Part of the job of the eagle, supervision, is to help the fledgling, the supervised.

"Sometimes people say, 'those who can, do; those who can't, teach,'" said Hodges. "I disagree. I think it's 'learn, do, teach, then do some more.' I think that makes you a master, then you become a mentor."

Now that these students have earned their degrees in their respective fields, it is time for them to be the eagle and help the fledglings, while remembering it is okay to be the fledgling sometimes, said Hodges.