(Editor's note: This is the third article in a continuing series about JBM-HH education, employment and other services offered to Soldiers, Marines, civilian employees and family members.)
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - It is no secret earning a college degree can increase the probability of getting a higher-paying job for personnel leaving the military at the end of obligated service or retirement.
Between 2004 and 2014, about 14 million jobs are projected to be filled by employees who have earned a bachelor's or higher degree, and who are entering an occupation for the first time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Education Center on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base offers information on college programs for transitioning Soldiers in partnership with the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP).
As a joint-initiative between ACAP and the Army Continuing Education System (ACES), the Fort Myer Education Center provides educational services to transitioning Soldiers and their family members.
"The two-day elective program the education center provides is called accessing higher education, an overview of information one needs to know about going to college," said Tim Battle, education services specialist at the education center.
Servicemembers attending this workshop will learn about financial aid, college applications and how to research a school that offers a degree of interest. The program serves as a "college 101" for first-time college students, according to Battle.
"This is really for someone who wants to attend college for the first time, not someone who already is enrolled or wants to go to graduate school," he said.
"This program also fully explains the post 9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills and other education benefits offered through the Veterans Administration," said Battle.
The Veterans Administration has distributed more than $30 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to more than one million veterans, servicemembers and dependents since mid-2009, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VA received more than 470,000 autumn 2012 enrollments for Post-9/11 GI Bill use, which was a 12 percent increase in Post-9/11 GI Bill program use, compared to October 2011. In fiscal year 2012, Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries were enrolled in 3,630 institutions.
The education center staff of 15 includes an education services officer; education services specialists; guidance counselors; an education technician; test examiners; counseling support personnel and learning center technicians.
In June, the center will receive a transition education counselor who can further assist personnel seeking education assistance. Battle explained 51,500 customers were served at Forts Myer, Belvoir and Meade in fiscal year 2013. This included 22,764 people on Fort Myer.
Currently, five colleges teach courses at the center. Distance learning is also available.
Testing is available at the center, including college entrance exams; basic skills education program; flight school and language school admission.
Battle said the center also offers a class on test-taking performance anxiety.
Registration is being held for the education portion of TAP scheduled June 25 and 26. The next class will be held in the Fort Myer Education Center, Bldg. 417, room 108. Phone 703-696-0973 to register.
Classes are also taught at Forts Meade and Belvoir. For the Fort Meade class, May 27-28, call 301-677-9871. Call 703-805-9247 to register for the Fort Belvoir class, scheduled July 10-11.
For additional information on the Fort Myer Education Center, call 703-696-3070 or go to Bldg. 417, Room 215 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
There will be a free networking fair for military spouses May 28 from 7-9 p.m. at the recently closed Marine Club on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base.
In related news, the Career Resource Management Center on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base will host a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program career fair May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gym, Bldg. 27, at 1555 Southgate Road, Henderson Hall.
That event is open to all active duty, guard, reserve, veteran and Gold Star spouses. The fair will host employers looking to hire military spouses through the Military Spouse Employment program. Attendees are encouraged to bring resumes and dress for success.
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