January Update from AFA’s Aerospace Education Council

January 27, 2025   |   By Gary Copsey

I hope that everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday season and is ready for 2025! AFA’s Education Council continues to move forward, and now is the time to start working on your Teacher of the Year applications, grants and scholarships, AE Awards for your chapter, and all that goes with those. 

Your Teacher of the Year nominations are due to National by April 30. Now is a good time to start looking for that right person. Grants for CAP are due at the end of June, and JROTC grants are ongoing. These are a great way to get your chapter engaged with CAP and JROTC, as well as the community by recognizing your outstanding teachers and cadets. 

If you are near an Air or Space Force Base that has CCAF graduations, don’t forget to contact your education office about the Pitsenbarger Awards. I’m excited that this year we will have the opportunity to spread the word about the “Full Measure” Award for which Pitsenbarger recipients are eligible to apply. Our first presentation of this prestigious award that will go to one Airman or Guardian will be at the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in 2026. 

Thank you for all you do for our Air and Space Forces by being engaged in AFA! I look forward to a highly productive year ahead! 

Gary Copsey 
Vice Chair of the Board, Education