Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Russell Gray, Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line director, explains the AF COOL program to an Airman following a briefing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency recently partnered with Air University and The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education to deliver a follow-on contract for AF COOL. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)AF COOL program
                        
                        
                        Russell Gray, Air Force Credentialing Opportunities online director, explains the AF COOL program to an Airman following a briefing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency recently partnered with Air University and The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education to deliver a follow-on contract for AF COOL. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kevin Gaddie)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

AFICA partnership delivers COOL program for AirmenPublished Feb. 12, 2019
                    
                    By Debbie Aragon
                    
                    
                    AFIMSC Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) --**In partnership with Air University and The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency recently delivered a follow-on contract to help enlisted Airmen get civilian-recognized credentials for their post-Air Force careers.
The Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (AF COOL) program was created as an alternative option for Air Force members to earn civilian industry recognized credentials and licenses. The program’s part of the Air Force Virtual Education Center.
Prior to AF COOL, Airmen could use credentialing programs through the GI Bill, as well as a program that had little to no restraints, said Russell Gray, AF COOL director.
“The problem with the latter program is that there was little to no return on investment for our military members or the military,” Gray said, since Airmen were getting licensures for things like real estate and small engine mechanics that they couldn’t use in support of their Air Force jobs. 
Additionally, many only thought to get the credentialing at the end of their careers.
“AF COOL has created a paradigm shift,” Gray said. “Helping our enlisted Airmen obtain certifications earlier in their careers and exercise those credentials and licensures to show industry representatives that our military members have the proficiencies to support their needs in the civilian sector.”
According to the AF COOL website, credentialing “continues to professionalize the enlisted force by providing up-to-date industry-recognized credentials” in an Airman’s Air Force job and it “provides a way for Airmen to prepare for civilian life by ensuring that they are ready for work in the civilian sector.”
“Through industry recognized professional certificates and licenses, civilian employers can immediately recognize the skill sets that veterans bring to our communities nationwide,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Fahrner, AFICA’s 42nd Contracting Squadron commander. “I’m excited that our Airmen have access to this important transition program.”
Through AF COOL, Airmen can get background information about credentialing and licensing to include eligibility requirements and resources to prepare for exams and identify licenses and certifications for their specific Air Force specialty codes. Airmen will also find information on how to fill gaps between their Air Force training and experience, civilian requirements and find resources to help them gain civilian job credentials.
Although Airmen can only receive tuition assistance on approved credentials, they can view specialties they may be interested in for future planning, the AF COOL website noted.
Since the launch of AF COOL in March of 2015, the program has grown over 300 percent and garnered the attention of senior Air Force and industry leaders, Gray said. 
More than 9,000 Airmen have used AF COOL since its inception, saving them more than $15 million in individual costs associated with credentialing and licensing.
“The ability to provide the world’s best Airmen with the world’s best academic resources is key to the ability of the U.S. Air Force to continue our core values of being able to fly, fight and win,” Gray said.
According to Gray, the AF COOL program wouldn’t be operational today if not for the support and dedication of the Maxwell AFB, Alabama, AFICA team. 
“From senior leaders to Airmen working in the back office, the contracting team here, as a whole, became a lifeline for the more than 280,000 enlisted Airmen and the benefits that are provided to them through AF COOL,” Gray said. 
To find out more about AF COOL and the support it provides to civilian credentialing, visit the Air Force’s Virtual Education Center at **https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/**.Air University 



The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education 



Air Force Installation Contracting Agency 



civilian-recognized 



credentials 



Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line 



AF COOL 



GI Bill 



42nd Contracting Squadron 



42nd CS 



AETC Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil