Being in the United States Armed Forces entitles you a certain degree of respect and appreciation; however, it (unlike the period directly following World War II) does not entitle you to a college education — a commodity most cadets cherish. Obviously, there are spatial complications (a Private First Class stationed in Guam cannot attend UCLA during his or her off-shore leave). There are additional problems with time constraints — joining the Army is a full-time job (even more so than most), rendering traditional curriculums, lectures, and scheduled tests impossible. But, authorities within the Army and educators outside have discovered a mutually beneficial route soldiers can traverse to secure an accredited and affordable college degree, at their own pace, at a price they can afford, and from any location across the four corners of the globe (as long as an Internet connection is available). The sun never sets on Army distance learning.
How is all this accomplished? Online college programs and educational resources allow soldiers the freedom to complete assignments, take examinations and meet curriculum standards in a career that doesn’t schedule break time. And although certain people shun and eschew the merits of online colleges and universities, for Army regulars stationed around the world, there are few other viable options. Despite the elitist nay saying, electronic campuses provide a high level of education and a wide range of plausible and possible degrees. The trouble for soldiers becomes uncovering a distance learning program that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Without regional approval by appropriate authorities (i.e. a group approved by the U.S. Department of Education), online colleges and universities do not become eligible for government grants and loans. And, since a majority of soldiers are granted access to educational funding of some sort due to their service, this becomes a major dilemma for both the school and the prospective student. If the government refuses to foot the bill for online Army distance learning programs, soldiers are left high and dry with soaring tuition costs (most online college classes cost at least $300-$500).
Due to the vast proliferation of the Internet overseas, Army regulars can certainly expect to have high-speed access to the World Wide Web no matter where they end up stationed. This is another reason why governmental powers-that-be should unlock more educational funds for Army distance learning programs, and begin the arduous process of regional accreditation for electronic institutions that meet quality control standards for collegiate education. Case in point, many established universities are formatting classes for online consumption to engage the computer savvy generations entering their ranks — what does this prove: you can educate people through an electronic medium. As more and more people realize the educational potential of the Internet, more and more online colleges and universities will receive accreditation from the proper federal authorities. In turn, this means that soldiers can apply government grants to Army distance learning programs while on tour in Afghanistan or Japan. Just think of the future, an Army lieutenant could be taking online African history and culture classes while serving in Somalia — making the distance learning programs a hands-on leader of education, rather than a poor joke.
By Jean-Pierre Lacrampe