Education benefits are often considered one of the prime benefits for military members, and Fort Leonard Wood has a resource geared for service members and their Families to get the maximum reward in pursuit of higher education.
The Truman Education Center has seven on-post colleges, offering more than 80 different educational programs on the installation, and they also offer those programs, as well as hundreds of others, online.
Monday through Nov. 21 is American Education Week, and the staff at the education center want to make sure community members are aware of the programs available and benefits of education.
"The Army staff is here to help Soldiers, veterans and their Families use their military, veterans, federal, and scholarship benefits in the most economical way possible," said Tom Kelly, Education Services officer.
Kelly said the primary reasons to pursue education is employment and pay.
"Education is something you earn that no one can ever take away from you. It opens doors that would otherwise remain closed," he said.
Some of the popular programs on Fort Leonard Wood include general studies, criminal justice, business administration/management and nursing degrees. Also, at the graduate level, there are degrees available in engineering and business.
Angela Garrett, guidance counselor, said the center is ready to "revolutionize and lead the Department of Defense's finest men and women into a lifelong learning culture to strengthen them as a mission ready force." She said education also benefits service members transitioning to the next phase of life.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste," Garrett said.
"With the economic times as hard as they are today, education is still affordable. You have to put in the work and research the grants and/or scholarships available, but the effort is well worth the payoff and the education center staff is available to help anyone who is interested in pursuing their educational goals." she said.
One of the biggest obstacles for potential students is figuring out what program to pursue, Kelly said.
"This can be the hardest part of the process for some people," Kelly said.
The education center offers potential students access to the Kuder Journey, which is an online education and career planning system.
"(It) gives Soldiers the opportunity to assess their personal interests, skills, and work values," Kelly said. "This helps them narrow their education and career choices. From there we would investigate the college/universities that offer programs of study in those areas of interest and then assist them with different programs that can help them pay their tuition and other expenses."
During American Education Week, the education center will be providing several opportunities for potential students to learn more about their options. They will host a number of education informative sessions Nov. 19 tailored for service members, veterans and Families. Sessions are scheduled in Lincoln Hall Room 1666 and include:
-- Green to Gold brief at 10 a.m., provided by Missouri Science and Technology.
-- Financial aid brief at 11 a.m., conducted by Columbia and Central Texas College.
-- Credentialing opportunities on-line at 1 p.m., provided by the Education Services Office.
-- Military spouse Career advancement accounts at 2 p.m.
-- Veterans Administration educational benefits at 3 p.m. provided by Park and Drury universities.
Information tables for each of the on-post colleges/universities will be set up from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, drinks and snacks will be provided, along with education-related program information.
For more information on the Fort Leonard activities or for general education questions, contact the education office at 573.596.0172.
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