'I.G. Brown TEC School' approved to offer, build accredited education

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  The Community College of the Air Force recently inspected and approved the Professional Continuing Education branch here at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center as its newest, accredited school.

Officials said that the branch previously used the Chief Master Sgt. Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center for its CCAF credentials - which instructs Air Force Airman leadership school and NCO academy, but staff worked toward a separate accreditation.

The TEC School is now listed by the CCAF along with the Lankford Center as two campus groups that manage and offer CCAF accredited courses.

"It's exciting, and now the door is open to develop PCE courses and get them accredited," said Tammie Smeltzer, branch manager.

Smeltzer and Senior Master Sgt. Shaun Withers, branch superintendent, are now CCAF affiliated school liaisons.

"We are really excited about the future possibilities and future courses we are hoping to bring online," said Withers. 

The branch currently grants three CCAF education credits to graduates of its two-week Instructor Certification Program. Withers said they will accredit other courses, which helps service members earn college degrees.

"Not every course we own is going to get accreditation, but we hope to bolster Airmen's ability to earn college credits though their continuing education on our campus," said Withers.

We're also brokering with CCAF right now to receive additional accreditation for our distance learning courses."

Professional Continuing Education staff host, design, advise and/or manage training certificate courses, general officer support staff training, and public affairs courses, among others. They also create advanced distributive learning products for the services.

The staff is a mix of senior noncommissioned officers and civilians.

Smeltzer said that she welcomes National Guard units and the other service components who want to contact the TEC for their training and education needs.