Airmen earn 1,671 college credits during CLEP-a-thon

Names of Airmen who’ve successfully passed a test during a CLEP-a-thon hang on a board at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 13, 2015. The week-long event held by the education center gave Airmen the opportunity to take CLEPs and DSSTs on the spot with more than 700 tests being completed and 1,671 college credits earned. The credits earned go toward the individual’s Community College of the Air Force degree or any upper-level degree they may be working towards without having to schedule test dates weeks in advance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Airmen earn 1,671 college credits during CLEP-a-thon

Airmen wait their turn to test during a CLEP-a-thon at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 13, 2015. The week-long event held by the education center gave Airmen the opportunity to take CLEPs and DSSTs on the spot with more than 700 tests being completed and 1,671 college credits earned. The credits earned go toward the individual’s Community College of the Air Force degree or any upper-level degree they may be working towards without having to schedule test dates weeks in advance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Damon Kasberg)

Airmen earn 1,671 college credits during CLEP-a-thon

Published Feb. 18, 2015
By Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Just as people gather together to begin the first steps of a marathon, hundreds of Airmen throughout Ramstein Air Base flocked to the National Testing Center to earn 1,671 college credits during the CLEP-a-thon, Feb. 9 to 13, 2015.

The week-long event gave Airmen the opportunity to test for college credits toward their Community College of the Air Force degree, or any upper-level degree an individual might be working toward.

"I had never taken a CLEP before this week and now I've completed 28 college credits," said Airman 1st Class Jasmine Hunt, 693rd Intelligence Support Squadron cyber system operator.

In order to earn their CCAF degree Airmen must complete 64 credit hours. Although the journey may seem long to some, the CLEP-a-thon allowed Airmen to complete as many credit hours as they wanted and helped Airmen sprint to their CCAF goal instead of slowly strolling.

College Level Examination Programs and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests are based on the premise that some individuals enrolling in college have already learned part of what is taught there. These programs allow individuals to demonstrate their college level learning by taking examinations that assess the knowledge and skills taught in college courses.

"By taking and passing a CLEP or DSST exam, students can earn their degree much faster," said Michael Jones, 86th Force Support Squadron education services specialist. "A great example of this is Airman Hunt. During this last CLEP-a-thon, she earned over 25 college credits. This is just about the equivalent of one year of college, and she did it in one week."

To add a little competitive edge to the CLEP-a-thon, the Ramstein Education Office had Airmen write their name on a bulletin board every time they passed a test, to see which squadron could have the most Airmen earn credits. After five days of testing, the results are in. The 86th Security Forces Squadron had the most Airmen participate and pass a total of 40 tests.

"There were more than 700 tests given throughout the week and it was great seeing so many people participate," Jones said. "While the Clep-a-thon may be over, anyone can still sign up to take a test. As long as they are command-sponsored, it does not matter what branch of military they fall under."

Though the CLEP-a-thon has ended, unlike a marathon, the race to seek knowledge and better oneself never ends. Airmen are still able to schedule test dates for any course they wish to earn credits for by contacting their local on-base education center.