Photo By Staff Sgt. Samantha Simmons | Staff Sgt. Keyona Davis (right) distributes administrative documents to one of her...... read more read more
BAGHDAD — "If I can make time then anyone can make time."
Staff Sgt. Keyona Davis chuckled at what she had just said. Here she sat, in a hostile zone, not a lot of free time, reflecting on how people think it's essential to make time for things that will improve morale and occupy the mind.
"MWR functions are great, but if you can invest your time in something that's going to pay off later, then why not?" said Davis.
Her investment is in education, something that also keeps people out of mischief, said Davis, a Washington native and platoon sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division.
As a platoon sergeant, Davis is tasked with numerous duties, but she also maintains physical fitness standards, sings in the choir and studies for classes.
"I'm a candidate for pretty much any job that comes out," said Davis.
Davis is currently on her third deployment in only six years of active duty.
One of her previous deployments required her to work 18-hour shifts every day for six months, so school wasn't an option.
"Now, I'm only pulling a 12-hour shift, so that's six extra hours I have to myself," said Davis.
Although time-management can a challenge, an education is something Davis feels she needs.
Davis is one of 16 grandchildren in her family to achieve a high school diploma.
"I'm one out of four who graduated high school," said Davis, "and I want to be the first one in my family to get a college degree."
School doesn't always excite her, but she said the outcome after completing a class is very rewarding.
She hopes to tackle nine credit hours per semester, which would allow her to accomplish 36 hours by the end of her deployment.
"For me, the face-to-face classes are better than online classes," Davis said.
She likes interacting on a personal level with the instructor. And being around other motivated people motivates her, she said. The classes are also usually in the evening, which is very accommodating for her.
However, what might work for some, might not work for others.
Air Force Tech Sgt. Willmont Griffin achieved two degrees online, he said, because fitting class attendance into his schedule was a bit of an obstacle.
The Jersey City, N.J., native and liquid fuel systems maintenance technician assigned to 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineers Squadron didn't start college until his 50s.
Griffin has progressed by completing both an associate's and a bachelor's degree, and he is currently seeking another degree that he expects to complete in May. His current classes are face-to-face because they seem to work best with his deployment schedule, he said.
Griffin could be considered proof that age is no barrier to seeking an education. Still, he admits to harboring a few regrets about waiting so long to pursue college. But the regrets don't stay long: "The important thing is that I'm doing it now."
A busy construction inspector in Manhattan, and Griffin said his reason for going back to school is a matter of personal pride. "I just wanted to see if I could do it."
The online environment was the only way that he could get an education and maintain a career. Griffin said online courses are difficult, but he finds the benefits of getting an education worth it.
He's currently enrolled in face-to-face courses, and like Davis, has found the one on one interaction is beneficial.
Davis and Griffin admittedly don't have much leisure time because of their busy work schedules, but they say pursuing an education worth the sacrifice.
"You can always make time for something that matters," Davis said, "and education matters!"
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2010 10:46 |
| Story ID: | 46448 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 135 |
This work, U.S. service members pursue education in Iraq, by SSG Samantha Simmons, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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