There are many college degrees offered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord installation campuses, but only one school may offer the dedicated experience that an education in aviation has to offer. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, ranked fourth in the Top 100 military-friendly schools by Military Times in 2010, offers four degrees at its Tacoma Campus at McChord Field. The faculty and staff said they remain dedicated to helping servicemembers meet and exceed their aviation-based educational goals in a community like JBLM where aeronautical science thrives.

With one-stop shopping for the Tacoma Campus student looking for an associate or bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics, a bachelor's degree in Technical Management or Aviation Maintenance, or a Master of Aeronautical Science, ERAU officials said with approximately 170 campuses worldwide (90 military campuses) and potentially five ways to connect with instructors, Airmen and Soldiers on the move in terms of training and deployments don't have to miss a beat in their aviation education.

"With all of our modes, there's no reason the military member couldn't continue their education," said Tony Aparicio, ERAU's director of academics. A recently retired Air Force master sergeant who served as a boom operator aboard KC-135 Stratotankers for 12 years, the former ERAU instructor-turned-director said he knows the importance of doing everything possible to assist busy servicemembers pursuing their educations because not too long ago, he was one.

It wasn't that long ago that I was finishing my first degree on deployment during Desert Storm, so it feels good to help others advance in their goals," he said. "I know from experience that it'll mean a lot for their professional development and the rest of their lives."

Servicemembers can potentially connect with their education in five possible ways: conventional classroom learning, online instruction, EagleVision, EagleVision Home and a blended program. EagleVision is ERAU's name for web camera virtual classrooms in which students can interact with their instructors and classmates in a more personable fashion.

Much like the many schools which offer on-site education services at Lewis-McChord, David Mulkey, ERAU associate director of academic support, said step one for prospective military students should start with their transcripts from their service's education organization, such as the Community College of the Air Force, or the Army/ACE Registry Transcript System. Though every situation is different, ERAU Tacoma Campus estimates that a servicemember with aviation training typically receives 30 hours of transfer credit toward a bachelor's degree, which in most cases equals a full school year. Those without aviation training also receive transfer credit based on their own military experience.

Aparicio said ERAU understands that while the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills are great benefits, they can be hard to maneuver for first-time students. Therefore administrators also pride themselves on understanding the VA benefit and keeping up with any changes.

"We know it's a main concern because a lot of people joined the military for college benefits," he said, "so it's important to us that we're able to help them navigate through it." ERAU also honors service-specific Tuition Assistance and Yellow Ribbon programs.

While ERAU curriculum may be more typically in tune with Airman experience, Mulkey said last year's joint basing initiative was a welcomed move as it heightened the school's exposure to Soldiers and others affiliated with the Army at the former Fort Lewis.

"We can speak ‘Army," he said with a smile, "and we definitely make an effort to be seen over on Lewis Main." ERAU visits the Stone Education Center on the first and third Thursday of every month to meet with prospective students.

Aparicio said he knows there are many quality educational opportunities at Lewis-McChord, but feels ERAU has an inside track with many servicemembers because of the school and the military's shared interest in aviation and he and the staff stand ready to assist servicemembers in their aviation educational goals.

"We're an aviation university," he said, "and because our curriculum is more in tune with what they do, we're more in tune with them."

ERAU's Tacoma Campus is located in Suite 350 at 851 Lincoln Blvd. on McChord Field. They're open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-ins or appointments. For more information, call them at 589-1728, email them at tacoma.center@erau.edu or visit www.embryriddle.edu/tacoma.