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Nineteen years later, Lt. Col. Darrell Akers, 41, from Vassar, Mich., is still serving in the Marine Corps.
Akers, the executive officer of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, knows the power of education, and encourages all Marines to enroll in some form of Marine Corps education before their enlistment ends.
"Professional military education is part of our Marine Corps institution," said Akers, whose wife, Maj. Michelle Akers, is the executive officer of Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15. "Education is extremely valuable in terms of one's professional development. It's so valuable that you or I won't be allowed to stay in the Marine Corps without availing ourselves of the educational opportunities available."
He also added that Marine Corps Institute courses contribute to composite scores; staff noncommissioned officers have to attend the Career and Advanced Courses for promotion; company grade officers have to complete Expeditionary Warfare School, and majors must complete Command and Staff College to be considered for selection for promotion to lieutenant colonel. Even colonels and general officers have to attend professional military education.
Akers also strongly encourages service members to attend college while they're in the military. And Akers practices what he preaches — he has earned two undergraduate degrees in political science and English, and also has a masters degree in business administration.
"The importance of college is that it enables one to observe and understand the world around him from a perspective different than the limited one he grew up with," Akers said. "It also serves the individual by providing a framework for enabling critical thinking abilities."
Akers said it takes a strong commitment for someone to earn a four-year degree.
"There are two things required for a college degree: resources to pay for tuition, books, room, and board, and the personal commitment to invest at least four years of one's life to the education process," Akers said. "I always counsel Marines who are considering getting out of the Marine Corps and going to college
that the hardest part of getting a college degree isn't the academics, it's simply the commitment of going to college full-time for four years of their lives."
He also added that for those that are fortunate enough to possess the requirements, a college degree represents a tangible benefit that others value — a value that generally translates to better jobs and higher salaries.
If Marines aren't ready to attend college, though, MCIs correspondence courses are a good start. He also recommends reading books off of the Commandant's Reading List.
"Every Marine should read 'A Message to Garcia' at least once," said Akers. "If you haven't read it, you can knock it out in an hour. Every library on base has copies. It's extremely well written, has great lessons, and it's short."
Whether it's Tuition Assistance for college or simply cracking open a book, the Marine Corps offers educational opportunities that all Marines should take advantage of — and fast — because time flies in the Marine Corps, he said.
"I still remember talking to the OSO," remembered Akers of the conversation that began his career. "Now 19 years later, I'm here."
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2009 11:41 |
| Story ID: | 39367 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 146 |
This work, Officer stresses importance of education, by LCpl Jerrick J. Griffin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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