Seminar, campus support Air War College officers

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col Loralie Rasmussen
  • Air Education and Training Command
The I.G. Brown Training and Education Center recently hosted more than 60 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command officers here, August 18 to 29, who participated in the Air War College Air Reserve Component Seminar.

The seminar was a non-resident, professional military education opportunity that provided an in-resident experience to those without the opportunity or time to attend their Air War College studies, full-time.

The seminar also jump-started student engagement in their distance learning at the intermediate and senior developmental education levels, said officials.

Their units sponsored the officers who participated in discussions on military strategy and national security studies.

"It's a distraction-free environment that's cost effective and allows our Guard and Reserve officers dedicated time to focus on their PME endeavors, away from the demanding ops tempo of their civilian and military jobs," said Col. Kathy Hightaian, a facilitator for the Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Officials said that the seminar transitioned officially to the TEC because its "superb facilities provided a great alternative, at a lower cost." Maxwell Air Force Base previously offered the sole location.

The TEC hosts the seminar twice a year, with the next seminar scheduled in early December. Maxwell Air Force Base still holds its seminar each June for the Air Command and Staff College, Air Reserve Component Seminar.

More than 7,000 officers are in the Air War College distance-learning program, from across the service components.

Usually, officers completing their PME via distance learning take several months, if not years, to complete the requirements. Most lieutenant colonels who participate in the program complete the curriculum within a year.

"The ARCS program is a great value to the Air National Guard and Reserve," said Col. Jessica Meyeraan, TEC commander. "I am happy our facility provides such a great option to support this important Total Force program."