Rows upon rows of tables, decorated with the emblems of schools and companies that are eager to tap into the sea of Army talent that ebbs through Fort Jackson. Major government agencies and multiple off-post and on-post colleges, set up shop in the Solomon Center Aug. 15, eagerly awaiting the chance to talk with Soldiers and their Families.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Barthmaier was one of those Soldiers.
The 40-year-old Soldier is set to retire Nov. 1 and is openly exploring job opportunities available to him, except he doesn't have to look far the employers come to him. That's because Barthmaier has three associate degrees and a bachelor's degree in business administration, all in two years. And
he is currently working on completing his masters of business administration.
People I knew that were already retired always asked, 'Did you get any degrees yet?'" Barthmaier said. "They always told me, 'Make sure you get your education before you retire,' because that was
their biggest regret."
And he didn't pay a dime for all of that education.
Through the resources and guidance of the Army Continuing Education Service and G.I. Bill resources he was able to obtain all these degrees, including the current master's in progress,
without tuition payment.
"Who's going to turn down free education?" Barthmaier said. "And it gives me something that's
tangible; that's what you need."
Barthmaier was no slouch either. He graduated with a 3.885 GPA from Columbia Southern University, where he received his bachelor's degree. He also graduated with honors from Coastline Community College, which is where he received his associate degrees.
The ACES wasn't the only proponent of Barthmaier's education, his wife Tonya has two master's degrees and was a primary motivator for his continuing education. Plus, he completed all this education while on active duty, so the support of his supervisors was paramount to his success.
"When it wasn't busy they would allow me to work on homework instead of sitting around looking at Facebook," Barthmaier said. "I had a job that allowed me to bring it home or work on things during lunch, whatever I had to do to get it done."
Barthmaier's success story is one of the many reasons why the ACES holds an annual, now biannual, career fair. The support of Soldiers and having these valuable resources available to them, is how Soldiers like Barthmaier can succeed to the degree that he has.
ACES Education Officer Veronica Fields-Cox is one of those people that is instrumental in the planning and success of the career fair.
"I just want to make sure that Soldiers know the opportunities available on and off post," said Fields-Cox. "Whether it's a certification they need or all the way up to a doctorate."
Barthmaier made sure to capitalize on the opportunities available to him while he is in uniform. He started as a 20-year-old Soldier from Philadelphia with a high school G.E.D, and will retire from the Army a senior NCO and a college graduate.
"It wouldn't have been possible without them," Barthmaier said. "They passed me the torch and I ran with it."
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