Education and Training Center

The Education and Training Center (E&TC) serves as the administration of all education and training matters on Hanscom Air Force Base. It supports long range Air Force goals for maintaining a high-quality workforce and enhancing professional/personal development, recruitment, retention, and readiness. The E&TC offers some of the most advanced methods of training available.

Academic Counseling

All those who have worked in public service (federal, state, local, tribal government or a non-profit organization) may be eligible to have all their student debt canceled. It is easier than ever to receive that forgiveness, or get credit toward forgiveness, if you have not yet served 10 years, but you must apply before October 31, 2022.

Counseling is available to help guide you in the right direction for career development. Guidance is available for all aspects of the Air Force Education Services Program which includes the Community College of the Air Force, commissioning programs, local colleges, and degree programs. Academic Counseling is open to Active Duty, Guard/Reserve Members, DoD Civilians, and Dependents.

All counseling is by appointment only. Email us to schedule your appointment.

GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your release from Active Duty. Institutions of higher learning participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program may make additional funds available for your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. Some service members may also transfer unused GI Bill benefits to their dependents. Click here to learn how.

Click here to see the current payment rates for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The following payments may also be available:

  • Monthly housing allowance
  • Books and supplies stipend
  • One-time rural benefit payment​

Helpful GI Bill Resources:

Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisor
Military and Family Readiness Center
Phone: 781.225.2624/1679
10 Kirtland Street, Bldg. 1240, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731

Formal Schools Training and Profession Military Education (PME)

Professional Specialty Training: Improves an officer’s general qualification and ability to perform commissioned duties but is not necessarily designed to enable them to perform tasks contained in an Air Force specialty. This training includes courses from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Some of these courses surpass the qualifications of officers whose specialties are in the field of medicine, law, or theology.

Technical Training: Provides training in one or more of the Air Force specialist tasks. This training is conducted in formal schools, field detachments, and through organized on-the-job programs.

Professional Military Education (PME): Programs that educate airmen to leverage air, space, and cyberspace power to achieve national security objectives. PME provides training in scientific, technological, managerial, and other professional expertise to help meet the needs of the Air Force. Air University conducts research on the evolving security environment, emerging threats, future uses for air/space/cyberspace power, working in joint/coalition teams, multicultural environments, military leadership, and other topics that contribute to the curriculum development for Air Force leaders.

Email us to learn more.

Tuition Assistance

The Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program is designed to help Active Duty members pursue voluntary/off-duty educational opportunities. The program currently pays 100% (up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent) of college tuition with a limit of $4,500 per fiscal year.

Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical. They can be taken from a two or four-year institutions on-base, off-base, or online. To qualify, members must be Active Duty or Guard/Reserve Members (activated/full-time status). All first-time users are required to have an initial Tuition Assistance briefing. Members inactive in pursuing education for more than one year are required to receive a follow up briefing.

You must apply for Tuition Assistance online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center.

Commissioning Programs

Learn more about the following programs by clicking the links below:​

​​Email us if you have questions.

Testing

The Education and Training Center administers the following tests for Active Duty and Guard/Reserve Members. In some cases, these tests are also offered to DoD Civilians and Dependents:

  • Armed Forces Classification Test retake (AFCT)
  • Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)
  • Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPTs)​
  • Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS)
  • Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM)
  • Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS)​
  • Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)
  • Electronic Data Processing Test (EDPT)
  • Air Force Reading Abilities Test (AFRAT)
  • Enlisted Pilot Qualifying Test (EPQT)
  • Air Force Compatibility Assessment (AFCA)

To learn more or schedule a test email Hanscom.Education.Training@us.af.mil.

We use a prioritization in this order for our scheduling:

  • Category 1 – Active Duty Military
  • Category 2 – National Guard and Reserve (activated/full-time status)
  • Category 3 – National Guard and Reserve (not activated/part-time status)
  • Category 4 – ROTC Students (accompanied by a sponsor or detachment staff member, if Cadet does not have a Common Access Card)
  • Category 5 – DoD Civilians
  • Category 6 – Accessions (accompanied by sponsor or recruiter)

Helpful Testing Resources

  • Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
    Designed for individuals in the U.S. military who want to build their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and math skills to pass their exams, excel in their jobs, advance their careers, or continue their education. Go to www.dantes.doded.mil/index.html, click on Service Members and select OASC – CPST from the dropdown menu.
  • DLPT Guides
    Provides information about DLPT5 tests and includes sample items with explanations. Go to www.dliflc.edu/resources/dlpt-guides/ to learn more.

Airman Development Advisor

Do you have questions about your Air Force Career? What about your subordinates? The Airman Development Advisor (ADA) is here to provide career counseling for all military members of Team Hanscom, with specialized knowledge in retraining, commissioning, and various retention programs. The ADA provides guidance on career decisions and assists supervisors or commanders in counseling personnel on various opportunities. Below are some examples.

  • Retraining
  • Palace Chase/Palace Front (transitioning into Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve)
  • Reenlistment
  • And more!

​The ADA is also here to help with Team Hanscom’s professional development needs. Enlisted enhancement courses are conducted on a rotational basis for all Airmen, NCO’s, and SNCO’s depending on the availability of units from across the installation.

Enlisted enhancement courses include:

  • First Term Airman Course (FTAC)
  • NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (NCOPES)
  • SNCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (SNCOPES)
  • Informed Decision Seminar

Our current ADA, MSgt Michael Kennedy, is located at the Education and Training Center. For assistance with your career needs and to learn more about any course email or call .

Civilian Training, Education and Professional Development

Air Force civilian training, education, and professional development programs use a variety of tools to successfully complete civilian training. Employee development specialists evaluate civilian job specifications, future changes to work methods, or individual job related development.

The Employee Development Specialist (EDS) reviews and approves/disapproves all requests for training according to statutory, legal, and administrative requirements regardless of funding source. They will also review the Standard Form 182, which is only for DoD Civilians.

Employee Development Specialist
Rachael Cossingham
Phone: 781.225.5946
Email: rachael.cossingham.1@us.af.mil

Education

Air Force Institute of Technology

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) offers graduate degrees and continuing education. For the most current information, visit www.afit.edu or call. For general questions, email us.

Hanscom University

Hanscom University is a professional development program that provides personal and professional development opportunities to all members of the Hanscom workforce (Active Duty and DoD Civilians). Effective communication, public speaking, leadership, followership, and empowerment are just a few examples of skills taught in these courses. Classes are held on a weekly basis.

Sign up for courses on the Hanscom University SharePoint site or email us if you have any questions.

Community College of the Air Force

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is the largest community college in the world and offers job related associate degrees to enlisted Air Force members.

Airmen can fulfill general education requirements by using credits they acquired from civilian colleges, CLEP exams, and DSST exams. The test code for CLEP exams is 6139 and the DSST code is 7992. Official transcripts for all previous coursework must be sent directly to the Community College of the Air Force, CCAF/DESS 100 S. Turner Blvd. Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL 36114-3011, in order to receive credit.

Email us to learn more about transferable classes and CCAF, CLEP, and DANTES exams.

Defense Acquisition University

Defense Acquisition University provides a global learning environment to develop qualified acquisition, requirements and contingency professionals who deliver/sustain effective and affordable warfighting capabilities.

DAU representatives: