Rep. Turner Wins Support for Civilian Education At the Air Force Institute of Technology
The House Armed Services Committee has adopted language offered by Congressman Michael R. Turner that will expand AFIT’s authority to enroll government and non-government civilian personnel in its programs. The provisions would be a major advance for the institution and many civilian employers and employees who work in conjunction with the Air Force. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the issue as part of the National Defense Authorization bill by the end of the month.
For several years, the regional business community has advocated for an opening of AFIT educational programs to non-government civilian personnel. It is believed that allowing AFIT to expand its offerings beyond military personnel will produce benefits within a larger student body and within the institution itself.
AFIT students currently attend classes at the University of Dayton and Wright State University as part of the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute. The Air Force can benefit from a free exchange of knowledge and perspectives with the private sector even as it provides advanced training to students who normally would not have access to AFIT instruction.
“This is the kind of public/private sector partnership that makes sense in our changing economy and the type of initiative I have always supported,” Congressman Turner said. “Building on assets already in place is an effective economic development strategy. I am committed to finding new investment opportunities at Wright-Patterson and AFIT is an obvious place to begin.
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school of engineering and management focused on as well as its institution for technical professional continuing education. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT is committed to providing defense-focused graduate and professional continuing education and research to sustain the technological supremacy of America’s air and space forces.