Enlisted coursework starts here

Some areas of the Air Force Career Development Academy resemble the warehouse where the Ark of the Covenant was stored in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.' Others areas are stocked with correlators and other shipping equipment. The site on Gunter, which requires its own zip code, handles the production and distribution of education material for enlisted Airmen under the direction of the Barnes Center. (Air Force photo/Christopher Kratzer)

Iraq's chief master sergeant of the Air Force speaks with U.S. counterpart, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy speaks alongside his counterpart, the Iraqi chief master sergeant of the Air Force, during a session Dec. 7 at the U.S. Air Force’s Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The Iraqi chief was in the States for the first time, visiting Air University and other Air Education and Training Command bases to observe and glean ideas concerning how the U.S. Air Force educates and trains its Airmen for the duration of their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

Falcon's Nest at Gunter reopens

The Falcon's Nest, a key dining event and catering facility at Gunter Annex reopened July 8. The Falcon's Nest was closed for approximately nine months for minor renovations and will host a grand reopening Aug. 4. (Air Force photo/Donna Burnett)

Senior NCO Academy graduates largest class ever

Members of the Senior NCO Academy's largest class ever graduated this week. On Tuesday, approximately 550 people, SNCOA graduates and First Sergeant Academy members celebrated with a combined formation run at Gunter Annex. (Air Force photo/Jamie Pitcher)

CCAF recognizes 350,000th degree recipient

Technical Sgt. Brannen Parrish (center), Air University Public Affairs specialist, receives his Community College of the Air Force degree from Col. Charles W. Johnson (left), Barnes Center commander, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. Sergeant Parrish received the 350,000th CCAF degree. (Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

CCAF, Air Force launch pad for astrophysicist's NASA career

Dr. Richard Barry at his NASA work station uses a Ditherless Quadrature Phase Detector to find exoplanet tens of trillions of miles from the Earth's solar system. Dr. Barry credits the Air Force and a CCAF degree for his academic and professional achievement. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Barry)

USAF First Sergeants Academy charging forward

The Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education's USAF First Sergeants Academy graduated the first-ever Canadian student April 22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jamie Pitcher)

USAF First Sergeants Academy charging forward

Senior Master Sgt. Mauree Powell, an instructor at the USAF First Sergeants Academy, teaches senior noncommissioned officers during a recent class at Maxwell's Gunter annex March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donna Burnett)

USAF First Sergeants Academy charging forward

Senior Master Sgt. Mauree Powell, an instructor at the USAF First Sergeants Academy, teaches senior noncommissioned officers during a recent class at Maxwell's Gunter annex March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donna Burnett)

USAF First Sergeants Academy charging forward

Senior Master Sgt. Mauree Powell, an instructor at the USAF First Sergeants Academy, teaches senior noncommissioned officers during a recent class at Maxwell's Gunter annex March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donna Burnett)

USAF First Sergeants Academy charging forward

Senior Master Sgt. Mauree Powell, an instructor at the USAF First Sergeants Academy, teaches senior noncommissioned officers during a recent class at Maxwell's Gunter annex March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donna Burnett)

Community College of the Air Force's new home

Ryan Hall at Maxwell's Gunter annex is the new home of the Community College of the Air Force. The hall provides the amenities to allow the staff space while creating marketing materials Sept. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Curry)

Community College of the Air Force's new home

Ryan Hall at Maxwell's Gunter annex is the new home of the Community College of the Air Force. The hall provides the amenities to allow the staff space while creating marketing materials Sept. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Curry)

Community College of the Air Force's new home

Ryan Hall at Maxwell's Gunter annex is the new home of the Community College of the Air Force. The hall provides the amenities to allow the staff space while creating marketing materials Sept. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Curry)

Cross Culturally Competent Air Force SNCOs

Chief Warrant Officer Gabriel Chartier, an instructor at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy, briefs a case study to his students at the academy Oct. 23. CWO Chartier is assisting the Air Force as an educational instructor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Cross Culturally Competent Air Force SNCOs

Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Arnold, an instructor at the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy, teaches cross cultural competence to senior noncommissioned officers at the AFSNCOA Oct. 23. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

First Sergeants memorial

For the memorial to first sergeants the Air Force First Sergeants Academy is in the process of completing, sculptor Michael Maiden works on the yet unfinished male first sergeant statue at his studio in Oregon. For the finished memorial, this statue will be joined by a female first sergeant statue and be located at the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum at Maxwell's Gunter Annex. (Courtesy photo)

Senior NCO Academy welcomes new commandant

Chief Master Sgt. Alex Perry assumed leadership of the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell's Gunter Annex July 21. He is the 17th commandant of the school. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

SNCOA honors Tuskegee Airman

While speaking at Gunter's Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy on April 1, Lt. Col. (ret.) Herbert Carter was surprised with the academy's honorary diploma by Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck (left), commander of Air University. Colonel Carter was invited to the academy to tell of his experiences as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. According to the academy's Chief Master Sgt. Michael Foster, Colonel Carter has spoken to 68 SNCOA classes and more than 20,000 students since 1997. Also shown is Chief Master Sgt. Shelia Knox, vice commandant of the SNCOA. (Air Force photo by Bud Hancock)

Medal of Honor display dedicated at SNCOA

Master Sgt. Jeff Kunkle, the artist who painted the sepia-tone portraits included in the display, stands in front of the Wall of Honor, which was dedicated in a ceremony at Gunter Annex's Senior NCO Academy on Tuesday. The display honors the six enlisted Airmen who received the Medal of Honor for their actions. (Air Force photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)