Photo By Capt. Amber Kelly-Herard | Capt. Lisa McLean, 18th Air Force and 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker...... read more read more
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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Capt. Lisa McLean, 18th Air Force and 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) section commander, is one woman who used education to propel her from the enlisted force to the officer corps.
"If you would have asked me in high school if I was going to go to college, I would have said, 'no way, not me.' Education is a privilege, and I wasn't ready for that responsibility."
After high school, McLean enlisted in the Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program for a guaranteed classification into an electronics based career field.
"I had eight months before I had to leave for basic training."
So she attended Northern Virginia Community College and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician while working part time at a local grocery store.
"My dad made it very clear that if I lived at home, I had to do something productive. I thought learning how to save lives was pretty productive."
McLean received her CCAF in Electronic Systems in 2000 as a senior airman. "I CLEP'd six courses and took advantage of weekend and night classes. It seemed surreal. I was the first person in my family to earn a degree. I have to pay tribute to my parents and grandparents though. They worked very hard to make sure I had this opportunity."
But she didn't stop there. Her father had bigger dreams for her and encouraged her to get a bachelor's degree.
"I wanted to be a good role model for my son, Aaron."
As a staff sergeant, she applied for the two-year Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program, or ASCP. The ASCP offers active duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor's degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet.
"Thank goodness for the G.I. Bill!"
While the scholarship covered the tuition, the G.I. Bill covered other educational and living expenses.
"ROTC cadets receive a small stipend," she said. "That was an unexpected bonus."
McLean graduated and commissioned from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's in Social Work, Summa Cum Laude.
"Being a personnel officer was very different from being a ground radio technician, it was quite an adjustment."
Again, she didn't stop there. She went on to earn a certificate in grief counseling, then pursued her master's degree.
"Having a master's degree is a crucial aspect of officer development. With the on-going force management programs aimed at right sizing the force, you have to remain competitive."
McLean attempted online courses, but decided that she needed a real classroom.
"It just wasn't for me. I realized that I learn best through hearing the lectures and classroom discussions. Online learning, for me, is like having a one-way conversation."
For being someone who didn't think school was for her, the D.C. native now finds herself still enrolling in classes even after completing her Master's Degree in Leadership and Management.
"I have a lot to learn still," she said.
McLeran is currently attending Financial Peace University, a 13-week training series that teaches cash flow planning, investing, saving, and giving.
When the captain is not in school, she spends time with her 14-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter.
"I love spending time with my children. We play games, read, watch TV, walk and even cook together," she said.
McLean also stays involved with the Catholic community on base. She is a lector as well as a member of the Military Council of Catholic Women.
"If I could offer any advice, I'd say, there's never a 'right' time to do it," she said. "Just make the time to do it."
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2012 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 86866 |
| Location: | SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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