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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – One thing Soldiers don't have a lot of during their deployment is time. But for Spc. Shanna Antoine, of Houston, she hasn't let that stop her from pursuing an education while she is stationed on Contingency Operating Base Speicher.
As a cable systems installer/maintainer in G-6 section for 3rd Infantry Division, she is one of the many who are responsible for keeping the intricate communications network for northern Iraq up and running. But Antoine's duties while deployed have not stopped her from obtaining her goal of getting a degree
"I took time to think about what I wanted to become in the future," she said. "So I decided I wanted to become a mortician."
The COB Speicher education center helped her with the goal and she eventually majored in Mortuary Science.
"I study for 30 minutes to an hour every day," she said, explaining how she gets herself to study. "I do find the balance to make sure I get my work done and my degree."
While sometimes it is hard to find the time, she has nothing but support from those she works with.
"They've been very supportive," said Antoine. "My platoon sergeant and section sergeant have been very supportive. To them education is the key. They want us to become more educated as time goes by. They support me 100 percent."
Antoine has also been very happy with the support she has received from the Army. The G.I. Bills covers all of her expenses except for books.
Junior Soldiers are not the only ones who are taking advantage of the educational opportunities available for Soldiers.
Sgt. Maj. Andrew McCaughey, of Cranston, R.I., works as the food service sergeant major for Task Force Marne and is also a member of the 3rd ID, G-4 section. He is about to obtain his Master's Degree in Business Administration.
"I wanted to make myself more marketable outside," he said. "It's great, it's all writing, there are no tests or proctored exams."
McCaughey added there are a number of other schools out there that cater to Soldiers' needs as they deploy and continue to work.
He added the transition is relatively seamless between his daily duties of making sure the Soldiers of TF Marne get their meals and his classwork.
"The primary reason I chose to get my degree here is there aren't a lot of distracters," he said. "I work a lot of hours, but I don't have to cut the grass, I don't have to maintain a house, change the oil in my car. Everything's done in your work day. When I'm done with work I'm able to study."
McCaughey has no plans to retire any time soon, but when he does he will know how important it is to have an education.
"I recommend every Soldier here visit the education center and at least see what they have to offer," he said. "They can't take that away from you, it's not like going to Air Assault School or Ranger School. When you get out of the Army that isn't going to matter to civilian employers, but that degree will matter the rest of your life."
Information on educational and testing opportunities are available at www.goarmyed.com.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2010 09:25 |
| Story ID: | 49223 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 271 |
| Downloads: | 225 |
This work, Soldiers get education while deployed, by SPC Michael Adams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
