Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas -- Families and friends gathered to celebrate an educational milestone as 80 enlisted Airmen, three Marines, one Soldier and two Sailors graduated from the Community College of the Air Force at the base parade field April 27.
“It’s important to work towards something that will improve yourself,” said Master Sgt. Brenda Dodson, 315th Training Squadron first sergeant. “We should always be reaching for something bigger and better.”
A common theme during the ceremony was continuing education. Going with that theme the ceremony included the presentation of Air Force Association scholarships to go towards future education and bachelor degrees for the recipients.
Retired Col. Charlie Powell, former 17th Training Wing Commander, emphasized the influence of CCAF.
“CCAF is an important contribution to the armed forces because you can never be too educated,” said Powell. “CCAF adds to the intellect of the constituents of the Air Force. It makes a smarter force, stronger force and a more willing force.”
He presented the Air Force Association Pitsenbarger Award, which is a one-time grant of $400 provided to selected top Air Force enlisted personnel graduating from the CCAF who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree. It recognizes the students’ activities that indicate excellent leadership, citizenship, teamwork, community service, personal development and dedication. The four recipients of the Pitsenbarger Award were Senior Airman Alex Harris, 17th Contracting Squadron; Staff Sgt. Cassie Barnwell, 315th Training Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Jessi Baugh, 17th Medical Support Squadron; and Master Sgt. Zachary McNair, 315th Training Squadron.
After retiring July 1984, Powell and his wife wanted to give back to the Air Force, and to do that they decided to give a cash reward to CCAF graduates. For about 20 years Powell has presented the Powell Warrior Award, a $500 grant he and his wife created to honor CCAF graduates who have displayed the highest degree of professional military excellence. Staff Sgt. Stephen Yelbert, 17th Comptroller Squadron received the 2015-2016 Powell Warrior Award.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert A. Mehaffey, the first senior enlisted advisor at Goodfellow 41 years ago, was the guest speaker at the commencement.
“Today’s enlisted force is held to a very high standard, and that requires a much better educated person,” said Mehaffey during his commencement speech.
Mehaffey left graduates with three tips to move forward “One, nothing is holding you back other than your own goals and visions. Two, you are limited only by your own imagination, desire and perseverance. Three, learn something new every day; education should continue whether through school or life.”
CCAF Graduates were:
Army:
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey L. Catlett -- Fire Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Pedro Gaytan -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Daniel W. Roberts -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Sgt. 1st Class Maja Thomas -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Sgt. Cleveland D. Brasington -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Navy:
Petty Officer 2nd Class Trevor D. Grimes -- Fire Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Petty Officer 1st Class Quoc N. Nguyen -- Fire Science
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael R. Traverse -- Fire Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Petty Officer 1st Class Sirita T. Weaver -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Marines:
Gunnery Sgt. James W. De Leo– Fire Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Air Force:
Senior Airman Jamal A. Abed Alkader -- Information Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Joshua W. Anderson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Amanda J. Aquila -- Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Terrence D. Arthur -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Senior Airman Spencer A. Ast -- Electronic Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Anton V. Auster – Logistics, Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Nicholas D. Bailey -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Devon E. Barker -- Intelligence Studies and Technology, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Cassie N. Barnwell -- Education and Training Management
Tech. Sgt. Jessi L. Baugh -- Education and Training Management
Tech. Sgt. Jared W. Beach-- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Michael S. Beran -- Munitions Systems Technology
Master Sgt. David W. Black -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Steven M. Blake -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Cory J. Bowers -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Richard B. Bradley -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Lakesha N. Brown -- Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Spencer Brown -- Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Cardenas -- Fire Science
Master Sgt. Mark A. Cervantes -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Warren A. Chambers -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Aaron D. Clancy -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Thomas K. Comerford -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Rene R. Contreras -- Criminal Justice
Tech. Sgt. Salvatore C. Corrao -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Caleb M. Crass -- Logistics
Tech. Sgt. Christopher M. Crawford -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Intelligence Studies and Technology
Tech. Sgt. Stanley A. Crescioni -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Phillip C. Daniels -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Chantel L. Davis -- Human Resource Management
Senior Airman Darrin T. Davis -- Contracts Management
Staff Sgt. Michael C. Depew -- Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Tanner L. Derosier -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Kevin C. Dickinson -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Master Sgt. Brenda J. Dodson -- Human Resource Management
Tech. Sgt. Steven B. Dodson -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Master Sgt. Esther N. Duhon -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Aaron J. Dvorak -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Douglas J. Earl -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Tech. Sgt. Xavier Elliott -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Brian P. Ferestad -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Blake W. Ferguson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Christopher J. Francis -- Contracts Management
Staff Sgt. Clifton S. Gathers -- Financial Management
Staff Sgt. Sarah A. Gauthier -- Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Elizabeth H. Gaxiola -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Stephanie A. Godsey -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Daniel D. Gogul -- Intelligence Studies and Technology, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Christal D. Gore -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Tearra Joy D. Gregg -- Health Care Management
Tech. Sgt. Joshua L. Gullickson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Jonathan R. Halcomb -- Criminal Justice
Tech. Sgt. Larry D. Hall -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Senior Airman Alex P. Harris -- Contracts Management
Tech. Sgt. Eric K. Heath -- Education and Training Management
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Henry -- Education and Training Management
Senior Airman John A. Herrera -- Criminal Justice
Staff Sgt. Charles A. Herron -- Health Care Management
Senior Airman Taylor A. Heuton -- Public Health Technology
Staff Sgt. Anderia F. Hill -- Dental Assisting
Senior Airman Abraham R. Hoogendoorn -- Electronic Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Huff -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Alaura A. Huggins -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Eric D. Hurtado -- Education and Training Management
Tech. Sgt. Royal J. Jackson -- Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. Evan J. Jacobs -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Johnson -- Contracts Management
Master Sgt. Jason H. Kauffung -- Electronic Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Benjamin L. Kennedy -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Lester A. Kent -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Ryan N. Kilcrease -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Kilger -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Tech. Sgt. Joseph R. King -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Paul A. Klingensmith -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Josalyn N. Knight -- Human Resource Management
Senior Airman Danielle N. Koza -- Biomedical Equipment Technology
Staff Sgt. Giovanna C. LaMaestra -- Mass Communications
Tech. Sgt. Garreth R. Laney -- Education and Training Management
Tech. Sgt. Lyndsey K. Larkin -- Criminal Justice
Master Sgt. Huan Z. Liang -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Tate P. Lieber -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Michael E. Long -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Jazmin S. Love -- Nondestructive Testing Technology
Master Sgt. Jeremy D. Lowe -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Derek J. Ludwig -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Mayer -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. James R. Mayes -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Staff Sgt. James B. McCormick -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Master Sgt. Zachary S. McNair -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Devin S. Meyers -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Greg R. Miller -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. William P. Millett -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Marcus A. Naranjo -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Jennifer L. Negley -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Creighton C. Nelson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Senior Airman Kendra D. Norman -- Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Allan W. Paradis -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Bryan M. Peel -- Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Jammie A. Pennington -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Morghan E. Poitras -- Criminal Justice
Staff Sgt. Erik D. Ramsay -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Airman 1st Class Jeffrey A. Reid -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Darel R. Roberts -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Rucoba -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Frank I. Ruda -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Richard L. Sanders, -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Senior Airman Aziz Sarbashev-- Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Jason A. Sater-- Information Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Seth C. Sheldon -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Austin C. Sheppard -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Brent J. Simpson -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Master Sgt. John L. Sims -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Valerie L. Skuban -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Michael W. Smith -- Mass Communications
Senior Airman Devan D. Smith -- Information Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Jonathan D. Smith -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Martin T. Smith -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Senior Airman Todd D. Strickland -- Financial Management
Tech. Sgt. David A. Swoboda -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Nicholas P. Swope -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey S. Thompson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Michael F. Tiangco -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. John H. Valdez -- Fire Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Taylor D. Vaughan -- Electronic Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Jeremy R. Vonada-- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Andre Weid -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Erin J. Weiss -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Master Sgt. Brandon C. Welton -- Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Wendel -- Electronic Systems Technology, Education and Training Management
Staff Sgt. George W. Whaley -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Tech. Sgt. Matthew B. Williams -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Britney N. Williamson -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Mason C. Wilmore -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Senior Master Sgt. Brian A. Witte -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Troy L. Work -- Mechanical and Electrical Technology
Staff Sgt. Brett A. Yacuta -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Stephen E. Yelbert -- Financial Management
Tech. Sgt. Michael J. Yucuis -- Intelligence Studies and Technology
Tech. Sgt. Stephanie S. Zengerle -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science
Staff Sgt. Mark D. Zlatek -- Instructor of Technology and Military Science