Camp Leatherneck opens new education center

Regional Command Southwest

07.19.2011 Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandler CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- A new education center opened here in Helmand province with the help of University of Maryland University College, July 18.

A U.S. Marine asks a question during an introduction course given by the University of Maryland University College at the education center Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, July 18. The new education center can hold up to 32 students and will offer four classes during the inaugural semester.  Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandler

The new center can accommodate as many as 32 students. The University of Maryland University College will offer four classes in the inaugural semester: American History, Western Civilization, United States Government, and Understanding Movies. Each class is four hours long, lasts for eight weeks and worth three semester credits.

“Education is part of a soldiers’ benefits,

and when able to take advantage provides them to have a break from their normal routine to further their education,” said Professor John Nolan, a native of West Point, Miss. “We would love to have our classes get to the point where we have to split the class in half because too many students have enrolled, but we understand that each soldier has a mission to carry out first.”

“I think this is great that they opened the center for us [service members] that way we can get a jump start to either start our education or further it along,” said Sgt. Sean Smith of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and a native of Woonsocket, R.I.

The goal is to have at least 15 students for each of the four classes with hope of offering more classes in the future, said Nolan.

“It is always a great pleasure to help give those deployed a chance to further their education, it is a great honor,” said Nolan.