There is a lot of military experience and training that qualifies for college level credit. Well the Air force came together in the 1970s and decided that they would make a series of courses that would dovetail with the duties and functions of the Air Force, while conducting the Air Force mission. It is a community college that is designed to give its students a two-year degree with the focus on performing the job duties and mission of the Active duty Air Force. The Concept of the Community College of the Air Force came around when leaders in the Air Force realized that a great deal of the training and skills that the Air Force were teaching their enlisted personnel would qualify for college credit, and that because there was no established program Air Force Personnel were not getting full credit for their activity.
Air Force Lieutenant General George Simler was the commander of the Air Training command, and the leaders along with General Simler wanted to formalize the training that was happening into a formal college level credit program. The leaders of the Air Force Military Academy met with various leaders of Air Force Command programs in 1971 to talk about the development of non commissioned officers, training programs, and air force college credit programs. After the series of meetings the assembled leaders decided that the Air Force should take the lead and create a community college level program. The Community College of the Air Force was formed in November 1971, and formally established in April of 1972.
Seven programs, Five Air Force Applied Aerospace Science programs along with the Security Service Air Force School and the USAF Health Care Sciences program worked to establish the technical portion of the Community College program. The overall Air Force Community College program has been very successful, and it is considered to be equal to or exceed the standards of regular community college courses nationwide.
There are a great many programs available to gain a 2-year degree if you decide to enlist in the Air Force. You can choose from a number of jobs that will give you college credit as you become trained, and this can work to your benefit if you choose to continue on later for a 4 year degree.