Photo By Spc. Brian Holloran | Col. John Haramalis, commander, Area Support Team, addresses a room full of Soldiers...... read more read more
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Thousands of people graduate college every year; some with bachelor's, some with associates, and some with master's degrees. For the ones receiving the degrees, graduation is a meaningful day, one they will remember forever. For a few Soldiers with Multinational Battle Group East, that day came while deployed to Kosovo in support of KFOR 12.
Two Soldiers from KFOR 12 received their degrees at Camp Bondsteel during a special ceremony July 12.
"This was a great day for me," said Master Sgt. John T. Waters, G-3 exercise planner non-commissioned officer-in-charge, KFOR 12, and recent graduate from Excelsior College with an associate degree in Administrative/Management Studies.
"I started college in 1982 and I finally got my degree. I only wish my mother were alive to know I finished what I started so many years ago," said Waters.
Along with the graduates 10 other Soldiers received certificates for completing a minimum of six courses during their nine-month deployment. Along with the Soldiers that received their certificates on the 12th, 11 other Soldiers from KFOR 12 received their degrees and an additional 11 Soldiers completed six or more classes during their deployment.
While being deployed allows Soldiers time to attend classes, it also presents its own challenges.
"There are times I had to put college on the back burner while deployed to do the mission," said Waters, a resident of Emerado, N.D.
"In the end I knew I just needed to stay up a little later and my instructors were helpful. If I told them I was behind due to missions they understood completely."
Attending school while deployed is a good way to for Soldiers to advance themselves both professionally and personally.
"I think going to school while deployed out here is a great way to fill time," said Sgt. Corey Arnold, B Company, KFOR 12. "It's also better than playing video games all day or sitting around doing nothing."
Even though the Soldiers from KFOR 12 will soon be leaving Kosovo and heading home, it doesn't mean their desire for learning will be left behind.
"I'm not done yet," said Waters. "I will continue school when I get home, and go for my Bachelor's in Human Resource/Management."
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.20.2010 09:16 |
| Story ID: | 53108 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 101 |
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