Bossier parish community college (BPCC), the cyber innovation center, and Louisiana tech university have joined forces to develop a curriculum that promises to set the standard for digital fluency across the air force and department of defense (DoD).
Known as the Digital Education Training for Enhanced Readiness (DETER), this initiative aims to boost digital proficiency among Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Airmen while fostering a culture of data proficiency among action officers (AO) to enable well-informed and fact-based decision-making.
Under the administration of the CIC through a partnership intermediary agreement with AFGSC, DETER will feature BPCC instructors leading 4-day, in-person, small group bootcamps for comprehensive learning. Additionally, Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) will contribute to the curriculum and provide further training to enhance skills, including industry-based certifications.
Kevin Nolten, president of CIC, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This type of collaboration among regional higher education institutions showcases the commitment of northwest Louisiana to our military and national defense.”
The modular courses of DETER will be available to all AOs upon joining AFGSC Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. These courses will supplement the existing AO curriculum, covering essential applications and job functions necessary for daily tasks. The modules, ranging from introductory to expert levels, will encompass basic digital fluency skills to advanced data analysis using tools like PowerBI.
Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson highlighted the importance of digital fluency in today’s world, especially within the military. He expressed, “DETER’s overall goal is to essentially shorten the learning curve for Airmen entering AFGSC so they are fully equipped to start their career path.”
Dr. Rick Bateman, chancellor of BPCC, expressed excitement about the partnership and the potential impact of digital education on the nation’s defense personnel. He stated, “By harnessing the power of digital education, we can empower our nation’s defense personnel with the skills needed to excel in an increasingly complex digital landscape.”
Upon its launch later this year, the program aims to refine its curriculum and expand its reach across the entire command, marking a significant step forward in enhancing digital fluency and readiness within the Air Force and the broader Department of Defense.