Task Force Currahee opens Sharana’s new education center

Courtesy Photo | Deputy commander of Task Force Currahee, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darrin Ricketts, a native of Springfield, Ohio, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary R. Holder, 801st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Div., a native of Kingston, Tenn., cut the ribbon while Robert Renz, the Army Continuing Education System country supervisor, a native of White Plains, N.Y., Jeannette Sydnor, outgoing Army Education Services officer, and a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mary Draper, incoming Army Education Services officer, a native Panama City, Fla., share in the celebration during the grand opening of the Sharana Education Center on Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, April 30. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Todd Christopherson, Task Force Currahee Public Affairs)  

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.30.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Task Force Currahee leaders and Education Center personnel celebrated the grand opening of Sharana’s Education Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 30.

Now, after three years in the making, the benefits of higher education are available to Soldier-students on Forward Operating Base Sharana.

“It is a bitter sweet opening for me,” said Jeannette Sydnor, the U.S. Army Education Services officer, and a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. “I’ve watched it grow, develop and just when it is opening, I have to leave.”

Starting off in a guard shack, the center has grown to a multi-room building and is one of six centers that will open in the next five months throughout Afghanistan.

“We are stepping forward and pushing education services out to the soldiers located in Afghanistan,” said Norbert Renz, the U.S. Army Continuing Education System country supervisor, and a native of White Plains, N.Y. “Education is becoming more and more important to your ability to get promoted and complete your tasks in the military.”

The education center will offer degrees from the University of Maryland and Central Texas College and soldiers may earn their associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and even their doctorate through resident and online classes.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darrin Ricketts, deputy commander for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, a guest speaker, said, “A one year deployment is a long time and if all you are doing is your job, eating, and sleeping you are wasting time and time is a resource you cannot get back. You can better yourself in many ways but most importantly is continuing your education. Make time make a difference in your life and take advantage of this awesome opportunity.”

“Everyone is a student, no matter the rank,” said Mary Draper, incoming U.S. Army Education Services officer, and a native of Panama City, Fla. “We are here to give them the tools to get their education.”

With the increased importance placed on education, Army leaders understand the significance of improving educational resources, said the 801st Brigade Support Battalion’s command sergeant major.

“The most important thing we as leaders can do is take this information back to our soldiers,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary R. Holder, 801st BSB, 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Div., and a native of Kingston, Tenn.

• Date Taken: 04.30.2011
• Date Posted: 05.03.2011 17:53
• Story ID: 69807
• Location: PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF