Afghanistan: Deployed Georgia National Guard Soldiers stay focused on education

By Army Master Sgt. Janet J. Hill
Task Force Hydra

Army Maj. James Collie guides his student Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Ri'chard through a practical exercise of fingerprinting during his criminal justice class here at Camp Phoenix.(Courtesy photo)(Released)
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KABUL, Afghanistan (5/8/12) – Some deployed Georgia Army National Guard's 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Soldiers are taking classes while they are here as a way of passing free time, some to get started on a degree, and others are trying to complete their degrees; but no matter what the reason, they are all taking advantage of receiving a higher education as well as the tuition assistance that is available to them.

Most Soldiers know that taking classes while they are here will help them in their military careers and after the military when they pursue or enhance their civilian careers.

Army Maj. James Collie, the assistant operations center officer, teaches a Criminal Justice class for Central Texas College on Camp Phoenix, at the education center two nights a week.

Collie believes that there is a difference in teaching here from in the United States.

"Anybody that takes the time to want to better themselves, and take the extra time to go over there at night and sit and listen to me talk about stuff on their time," he said. "I think it means a lot. I think that somebody who takes classes in a war zone should be commended for going that extra mile."

Army Sgt. Dedrick Walton, the real property manager in the Department of Public Works on Camp Phoenix, said that class instructors like Collie know what they are teaching and has worked in the criminal justice field for several years, and uses experience and knowledge to teach classes.

"I think it's awesome that Central Texas and the other schools that are here offer the classes in an area like this where students can pursue their education, because when you're stuck over here," Collie said.

"Sometimes you need a diversion from the bad stuff that's going on, so I think it's a good opportunity for the students. I commend them (the schools) for being here to offer that to the Soldier."

Collie said he has had many branches of service in his classes such as the Marines, Special Forces, and the Army - and that his classes have very diverse groups, and that there are no specific job categories that the students who take his class work in, just those that come to learn.

Attending college allows service members more opportunities for promotions and interaction with other students. Army Master Sgt. Tony E. Pounds who is attending three courses currently, thinks it is important for advancement and learning things that that he did not know previously, as well as meeting new people and interacting with them.
"Going to school over here is hard but most of the teachers are Soldiers too and they understand that we may not make it to class a couple of days. The key is to just stay focused," said Maranda D. Stubbs, the TF Hydra commander's aid.

"The good thing about going to college while I am deployed is that it puts something civilian back in my life, which helps. Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference in how things turn out," Stubbs said.

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