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        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Civilian Developmental Education offers opportunities to learn, growPublished Feb. 5, 2019
                    
                    By  Marisa Alia-Novobilski
                    
                    
                    Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
            **WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --**The application cycle for the Academic Year 2020 Civilian Development Education opportunities opens March 1.
“The Air Force is making a dedicated effort to develop the entire workforce and all of our future leaders,” said Patricia Young, Air Force Materiel Command executive director. “We are making an investment in them and giving them skills, education and training so they can continue to lead and make us the best Air Force in the world.”
The Air Force CDE is a portfolio of courses and training designed to address the developmental needs of the civilian workforce at all levels. Programs help civilians to achieve short or long term goals at a level appropriate to their needs and desired path of future growth.
“At any point in their career, a civilian can access the education, coaching, training and mentoring they need at the appropriate level. This is our commitment to the workforce to ensure they are ready for that next step in their personal development,” said Young.
The Air Force CDE portfolio has programs suitable for a person at every stage of their career. These include opportunities for civilians to attain associate through advanced college degrees in Air Force institutions and spots in military professional education programs such as the Air War College and Squadron Officer School. Fellowships at the RAND Research Institute, Education with Industry and the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program are among a myriad of other portfolio offerings, which include long-term courses as well as shorter seminar events.
This year, programs are divided into five categories: the Professional Military Education series, which includes Basic Developmental Education, Intermediate Developmental Education, and Senior Developmental Education; Academic Programs and Fellowships; and Leadership Courses, which are primarily one-week seminars. The Air Force Personnel Center made this change to clarify the programs that meet the Professional Military Education requirement, which is one of the critical factors in determining program eligibility.
“Taking the right course, seminar or training at the right time is key. Getting feedback as a person develops an application package from a mentor or other leader can help ensure you are on the right track,” said Young.
For Marketta Peel, a 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory management analyst,  CDE gave her the opportunity to complete her master’s degree through the Air Command and Staff College Online Master’s Degree Program.
“I was prior military and assumed I knew everything there was to know regarding our military and government, but this course took my knowledge to the next level,” said Peel. “I applied to finish my degree and continue on the road to success in my career. I was in classes with military and civilians much younger than me, and I succeeded.”
Craig Smith, an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center human resources chief of engineering, has participated in multiple CDE programs, including the Air Force Civilian Acculturation Leadership Program and more recently, Squadron Officer School. As a career civilian, Smith feels that CDE provided him with more exposure to military culture and training that will help him to succeed as a future leader in an Air Force organization.
“I knew that if I wanted to become a leader in the Air Force, then I would need to learn every aspect of the Air Force culture, which includes military culture and training,” said Smith. “I also wanted to be challenged physically and mentally in order to continue my individual developmental process.”
“I can honestly say that the relationships that I developed with my (Squadron Officer School) flight are the greatest experiences in my Air Force career. I learned from every single individual, and I believe they all learned something from me as well,” he continued. “I changed their view of civilians in the Air Force, and they changed my view of uniformed members as well.”
The CDE application window is open from March 1 through May 1. Interested individuals are encouraged to review program details on the **myPers** website and to speak with a supervisor or mentor to discuss program options.
Though an individual does not have to opt in and participate in CDE, the career impact can be significant, Young said.
“Those who opt in and want to continue their personal and professional development might be more competitive for jobs in the future,” Young said. “We think that we have created such a valuable program that it can benefit everyone.”
To learn more about the Civilian Developmental Education program, visit: **https://go.usa.gov/xEB8v**.
As the application window approaches, civilians are advised to monitor their email and the AFPC and AFMC websites for further information on programs, application processes and deadlines.education 



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