Course preparation pays off

  • Published
  • By Airman Torri Kim Ingalsbe
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  An Airman sits in a chair, facing a blank computer screen. The time is 9:30 a.m. and he realizes he only has 30 more minutes of peace. The relaxation is broken, however, by the relentless sweating of  palms and the uneasy feeling in his stomach. His leg begins to twitch involuntarily and he suddenly can't get cool enough. Glances to the left and right reveal other Airmen experiencing the same fidgeting sensations. His mouth feels dry and just as he stands up to get a drink, the proctor says it's time to begin. His heart begins pounding as he types anxiously at the keyboard. This test could make or break his career. This test is the Career Development Course end-of-course test.

The CDCs were designed to expand on the information learned in tech school and give Airmen a greater understanding of their job.

"The CDCs are a foundation of general knowledge of the career field," said Staff Sgt. Tabitha Davies, 48th Mission Support Squadron unit training manager. Sergeant Davies said, "The CDCs are important because they allow you to keep the job you have."

While the CDCs may not go into every aspect of their day-to-day job, they will give Airmen a broad understanding of their career field across the Air Force.

"Each base has a different mission, so the daily tasks may change with each new assignment, but you'll have a rough idea of what is expected in the job," said Sergeant Davies.

Airmen receive their CDCs shortly after arriving at their first duty station, getting settled and acclimated to the job. Airmen's CDCs can range from one volume to 12, depending on their career field. It's up to the Airmen to read, complete and study each volume before testing. Airmen are given 30 days to complete each volume and a 30-day comprehensive review before taking the test.

"There is no reason an Airman should fail their CDC test," said Sergeant Davies. "The Airman and their supervisor are responsible to work together to ensure a successful test outcome." Airmen must make a 65 percent or higher to pass the test. Some squadrons offer incentive programs for Airmen with exceptional scores, and their supervisors.

"Airmen and their supervisors should sit down on a weekly basis and identify the Airmen's strengths and weaknesses regarding the material covered in the CDCs," said Sergeant Davies. "They should work together in focusing on the weak areas and increasing the Airman's knowledge and familiarity with those areas."

Sergeant Davies suggests a highlighter method as a good tool for studying. Using this method, individuals highlight the self test questions and answers in blue and also reference where to find them in the book. They do the same process for the unit review section. The result is a book full of yellow, blue and green highlights.

"The green highlights are the stomp your foot items," said Sergeant Davies, "but it's important to study all of the material in the books."

"I had Airman Krill use the highlighter method to study his CDCs and met with him weekly to track his progress," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Beaulieu, 48th Communications Squadron network administrator. "Every Friday, we'd meet and I'd look over his CDCs to make sure he'd used the highlighter method. I would skim through and pick out questions from the test to quiz him and then I would give him specific things to review for the next week." "Airman Krill also got an hour and a half each work day to study," said Sergeant Beaulieu.

"Sergeant Beaulieu always made sure that I was ahead of schedule and checked to make sure I was studying properly," said Airman 1st Class Robert Krill, 48th CS network administrator. "I felt confident about the test and I think the studying method I used was helpful." Airman Krill received an 80 percent on his CDCs.

The completion of the CDCs is an important step for Airmen to continue their career. After completion, Airmen have a greater knowledge of their career field. They are able to perform better on the job and they are on the right track to become experts in their field. Air Force-wide, the CDCs have all the answers for every career field. The CDCs should not be overlooked, but taken seriously and with enthusiasm.