Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Conducts Academic Skills Improvement Program
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — The Florida Army National Guard conducted the Academic Skills Improvement Program at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 18-24, 2026, to help deployed service members supporting the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa mission prepare to take the Armed Forces Classification Test.
The Florida Army National Guard funded the course, which helps participants strengthen academic skills and prepare to improve their general technical scores on the AFCT. A service member’s GT score affects eligibility for certain military occupational specialties and career development programs.
“This course gives service members dedicated time and practical tools to strengthen the academic skills that support improved GT scores,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jason Venable, the course’s primary instructor. “More importantly, it helps them recognize that focused preparation and continued self-development can expand their future career opportunities in the military.”
For many participants, improving their GT score may support goals such as job reclassification, applying for warrant officer programs or pursuing Officer Candidate School.
“The course gave me an opportunity to focus on areas where I needed improvement and build confidence before taking the AFCT,” said Spc. Michelle Lopez, a student in the course. “If your brain wasn’t fried, you didn’t try! Improving my GT score will help me pursue a commission and continue progressing in my military career.”
Lopez increased her GT score by 27 points after completing the course, meeting the GT score requirement to submit an Officer Candidate School packet. Across the course, participants increased their GT scores by an average of 16 points. Of the 31 participants, 74% earned GT scores that qualify them to reclassify into a new military occupational specialty or pursue officer commissioning opportunities.
“Allowing our forward-deployed Soldiers the opportunity to attend the ASIP course highlights our focus on our most valuable resource, our Soldiers,” said 1st Sgt. Chad Caudill, the first sergeant of H Company, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Seminole. “Ensuring our Soldiers have the ability for self-improvement and career development will pay dividends across the organization for years to come.”
By offering the course during the deployment, the Florida Army National Guard provided 31 service members across the joint force an opportunity to pursue professional development while supporting the CJTF-HOA mission.
“This course reflects the value of joint cooperation and investing in our people,” said Maj. Gen. Shane Morgan, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. “When service members from across the force improve themselves, they strengthen their units, expand their future opportunities and contribute to a more capable joint team.”
Established in 2002, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa conducts operations to enhance partner-nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, deter conflict and protect U.S. and partner-nation interests. Headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, CJTF-HOA strengthens and enables security partnerships across East Africa.
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