Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Soldiers hit the books and Internet during lunch at the 589th Brigade Support...... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Ten computers are giving 132 Soldiers the opportunity to pursue college degrees while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The leadership of 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade established a computer lab in their headquarters to give Soldiers a place to work on online courses.
"Soldiers need to get civilian education behind them for whatever they do in life," said Lexington, Ky., native Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Taylor, 589th BSB's senior enlisted leader.
Whether a Soldier leaves the military after his initial contract or stays in to eventually retire, civilian education will help him compete in the job market, Taylor said.
"We – as the command team – needed to give them the tools to do that," said Capt. Earlglenn Bowser, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 589th BSB.
The tents the battalion's Soldiers moved into upon arrival on FOB Delta didn't lend themselves to Soldiers getting personal Internet accounts, so the leadership went to work providing other options.
The 589th BSB communications section worked with the brigade's communications office to request computers and commercial Internet. Soldiers from El Salvador's Cuscatlán battalion Rotation X built computer desks, said Bowser, of Perryopolis, Pa.
Five computers were up and running in July. In August, five more arrived. Soldiers appreciate having the computer lab so close to work as many are nearing finals in their first classes.
Sgt. Jason Huey, currently working on an associate's degree in Internet security information from Central Texas College, said he was able to finish a class a few weeks early thanks to having the computer lab next to his office.
"I work 12 hours a day, so I try to come in an hour early," said Huey, of Barstow, Calif.
Before the Iron Caisson computer lab opened, he would spend time in line at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center or try to do assignments at work, where the connection is slower and some websites are blocked.
"It's nice to get time away from the job to focus on school," said Grand Junction, Colo., native Sgt. Jordan Hemmer, signal support system specialist. Hemmer also enjoys the self-pacing schedule of online education. He said there are some classes he'd like to take in a classroom setting, but for the history class he's taking, being able to do the schoolwork around his schedule is a good fit.
Taylor said Soldiers of all ranks are taking advantage of the deployment to work on college degrees. The computer lab is open 23 hours a day, closed for cleaning from 11 p.m. to midnight.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2008 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 24476 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 341 |
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