Army program offers soldiers free college education online

By B.R. Sargent, Seoul bureau
Stars and Stripes

Getting a free college education is no longer just a dream for soldiers.

For soldiers such as Staff Sgt. Thomas Black, a tuition-free degree can be a reality, thanks to a new program being offered by the Army.

"The main thing that motivated me was how easy it was to take the classes," said Black, an aviation technical inspector with the 52nd Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, who so far has taken two classes. "Another motivation was the free laptop, printer and free Internet connection."

Black took advantage of the program while assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.

Once a soldier is enrolled, he or she can take the classes anywhere.

The Army began offering tuition-free college courses, books and computer equipment to soldiers at Fort Campbell and two other test bases last year: Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Hood, Texas.

The $453 million program seeks to develop an online learning environment, allowing soldiers to earn certificates, as well as associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Soldiers must complete obligations. There are 24 colleges or universities and more than 89 programs available.

The program has proved popular at the three test bases, officials said.

"All met 100 percent of their enrollent goals," said Kelley Mustion, from the Pentagon’s Army Education Division Headquarters. "Demand for participation continues at a high rate."

"We are looking to expand the program to eight additional installations this year," Mustion said.

The bases under consideration are: Camp Casey, South Korea; Heidelberg Military Community, Germany; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Wainwright, Alaska and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

The Army plans to make the program available worldwide in fiscal year 2003.

"This is not only a recruiting tool, but it is a retention tool," said Elaine Livingston, chief of staff of Education and Training Division at Fort Benning.

Livingston said 328 soldiers have extended, and 382 have re-enlisted for the program.

Among the three test locations, more than 12,000 soldiers have enrolled.

Black warns that while the program provides flexibility, "it does require a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline. With aviation, you fly at night, you’re in the field at night; but I can do the work at lunch or at 3 o’clock in the morning," he said.