KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Training Group hosted a site visit for the Continuum of Learning team here May 8, 2018.
The CoL initiative is a shift that focuses on how Airmen learn by integrating education, training and experience in ways that allow them to learn anytime, anywhere. The end goal is to create a culture of life-long learning.
“We have had recent visits to Keesler to brief on the concept of Continuum of Learning initiative,” said Masoud Rasti, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command business relations manager. “Our goal for this visit is to see the progress and listen for the challenges they have encountered while trying to cultivate the initiative. We want to see how we can help them in making this process easier and more beneficial.”
Keesler was one of 14 bases visited over the past month. The team toured six locations throughout the 81st TRG to include the five training squadrons and the 81st Training Support Squadron.
“It was very beneficial to share our ideas and future plans for the Continuum of Learning construct with Mr. Rasti and his team,” said Maj Nicholas Moore, 335th TRS director of operations. “Knowing that there is support from AETC to move forward with our ideals helps to build confidence that we are moving in the right direction in the way we do training.”
Various topics were discussed to include the finance and weather distance learning courses, the partnership with University of Southern Mississippi, simulation lab practices and “flipping the classroom” experience in reference to the challenges they are facing and the technology needed to achieve the end goal for the CoL.
Not only did they discuss the challenges and technology advancement needed, but also shared knowledge from what other bases are doing around the Air Force and Defense Department to help overcome those challenges.
“Our bigger cause is as we go around to the different bases we can establish a library of resources and information so when bases say I need this thing or I have this thing we can say yes we have it being done here and this is who can help you with that,” said Rasti. “We want to have a Pandora’s Box of this information that we can share throughout the Air Force and DOD. I am pleased with the feedback and the progress that is being made thus far. This is what we are here for and we are well on our way to having information and resources for everyone to share and make CoL easier to achieve.”