Education fair prepares service members for the future

Photo By Cpl. Julio McGraw | Lance Cpl. Deontia Starling, motor transportation dispatcher, 2nd battalion,7th Marine Regiment, talks to Detective Stephanie Landry, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, and Detective Aaron Russell, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, about his future goals during an education fair at the West Gym Sept. 17, 2014. (Official Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Julio McGraw/Released)  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

09.17.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - An education fair was held at the West Gym Sept. 17 for service members and dependents aboard the Combat Center to provide insight on colleges and job opportunities outside the Marine Corps.

The fair provided service members with information about more than 60 education and job opportunities available to them like Mayfield College and the University of Phoenix. Agencies also had booths showing service members job opportunities, like the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department.

“Our main goal is to make sure that our young men and women, Marines, sailors and other members are ready to leave after their military service,” said Rick Colton, manpower development specialist and one of the event coordinators.

The fair offered information booths which allowed representatives from different schools, companies and agencies to answer questions and inform service members of possible opportunities.

“It’s a good place to ask questions to prepare us for when we get out,” said Cpl. Luis Narvarez, motor transportation operator, Tactical Training Exercise Control Group. “It also gives us a chance to find interest in different fields.”

Although the fair was geared toward junior-enlisted service members, albeit senior enlisted and officers also benefited from the information provided.

“Without a doubt, it helps everyone,” said Randy DeLeon, military outreach liaison, University of Phoenix. “Junior [service members], non-commissioned officers, higher enlisted, officers, service members getting out, and even veterans that want to go back to school benefit from this.”

Marines and sailors from around the base steadily came seeking information throughout the duration of the fair.

“We want service members that are getting out to have a Plan A, Plan B, and a Plan C.” Colton said. “That way they are prepared for the transition out.”

In an ever-changing world where education and forward planning are the keys to success, education fairs like this provide service members with the necessary tools to meet their future goals.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2014
• Date Posted: 09.22.2014 17:28
• Story ID: 142923
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US