Posting from a 1997 Grad
Posted November 11th, 2008 by Mary MartinChris Pittman is a 1997 graduate of the CSSA Program and shares the following as a guest author:
I am currently in Iraq establishing new Education Centers so our U.S. service members can take college classes on-site. I am already convinced that the service member student is as “non-traditional” as it gets but in a combat zone, “non-traditional” is taken to a whole new level. We just started the first two classes last night and had the “incoming” siren. That means mortars are being shot into the compound.
This happens at deployed sites fairly often. Needless to say the classes were disrupted for about 30 minutes and after the “all clear” signal resumed as if nothing happened. Just a perspective I would like to share. This also demonstrates the commitment of our service members have to get their education. Not to mention the civilian professionals providing it.
Chris Pittman
November 24th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hey Chris… Happened upon your entry… fascinating… You have another blog where you are posting updates on this experience?
November 29th, 2008 at 4:24 am
No I don’t at this time. This deployment has been very busy for me. I am the first Education Services Officer in Iraq and am focusing on establishing Army Continuing Education System (ACES) programs at several sites in Iraq. I will be presenting at several conferences later this year and will post the location of my work in Iraq on this blog in a few months.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Chris,
It is so good to hear from you. As an Air Force Brat, I can truly appreciate the work you are doing for the men & women in the armed services. Please take care of yourself and keep in touch.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:54 am
An interesting news article on the education program in Iraq.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401459.html