The beauty of distance learning is that it is designed to help you earn a degree no matter where you are stationed. Essentially, you learn as you go, at your own pace. You pick and choose what courses or degree programs you want to take and you use a variety of educational tools to complete the classes necessary.

But what happens when you get deployed? Can you continue to work toward your degree while stationed overseas?

Yes. It’s just a matter of changing how you approach your studies.

“Just because you’re deployed doesn’t mean you can’t make progress in a degree program,” said Suzzette Chapman, director of distance education for Central Texas College.

Distance learning programs can vary from class to class, program to program. Many schools use regular mail or e-mail to submit and receive course lessons and papers or to communicate directly with instructors or admission offices. Some schools use the Internet to deliver instruction. Others employ satellite or cable delivery methods.

Your local education center will help you determine alternative methods of learning available to you while deployed.

Specifically, students can access their courseware through satellite-, video-, CD-ROM-, paper based or other learning environments.

For example, Marines of the 22nd MEU out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, are participating in a pilot program with the United States Marine Corps College of Continuing Education to access military and civilian education programs while deployed aboard ships.

Marines and their families have access to MarineNet, the Marine Corps’ online learning environment. Deployed Marines are using self-contained fielded deployable learning resource centers.

These self-contained units include laptops, a switch and a computer server, printers, the necessary paperwork and anything else that is necessary to complete the Marine training programs and Microsoft-based courseware through MarineNet.

“We are delivering instruction regardless of where they are or for how long,” Chapman added. “We help service members continue their education while they are serving their country and us.”

Furthermore, Central Texas College is currently working with the USMC College of Continuing Education to add general government and fine arts college courses to MarineNet’s available courseware.

“Our centers of excellence are roadmaps for Marines from day one through a 20-year career,” said Dr. Larry Blevins, deputy director, College of Continuing Education for the Marine Corps.

“Our courses offer all sort of competencies from planning to management to leadership to land navigation,” he added. “Education and training can be plugged into the Marine to enhance readiness so they are as well prepared as we can make them.”

The University of Oklahoma has also been offering satellite courses to Marine Corps students, as well as other active duty military, reservists and military family members.

“For the past two years, our students have been constantly deployed,” said Davida Mahoney, director, University of Oklahoma, Advanced Programs. “(Students) should not by any means think they cannot continue a program.”

The university offers numerous independent directed studies and readings. It also offers military students design learning projects in which the student selects a project or course of study for the semester. The student then works independently with the help of a professor to complete the course. Students must first receive permission from the educator to receive credit for the project.

To assist students with their educational goals, the university provides a site manager on many military installations. The site manager works as a liaison because the students and the university.

“If you are remotely considering education, you should go into it and benefit from the 100% tuition assistance,” Mahoney added. “We can find something for you to do or a way for you to continue your education. Persist and (don’t) see the deployment as an obstacle.”

Where Do You Get Started If You Want to Sign Up For a Program?
If you haven’t signed up for a distance learning program yet, but are interested in signing up before you deploy, you have one stop to make first — your local education center (also called the Lifelong Learning Center or Navy College Office).

The reason for the stop is simple: if you want Tuition Assistance (TA), then you have to apply for it through your education center. It’s also to your advantage to consult an education counselor at the center before you choose a program.

The Necessary Tools
Since distance learning classes are often offered online, you may need the following to complete one of these courses:

• Access to a Pentium-class PC running Windows 95 or 98 with at least 16 MGs of RAM and at least 30 MGs free on the hard drive, or a PowerPC Macintosh running system 7.5 or higher with at least 16 MGs of RAM and 30 MGs on the hard drive. The computer should feature a CD-ROM drive.
• A printer.
• Connection to the Internet. This will be required for online courses, but won’t be necessary for CD-based courses. If Internet connectivity is required, students should have access to a fast modem, a reliable Internet Service Provider with e-mail, such as AOL or Earthlink, and a browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, installed on their machine.

Marines, both active and Reserve, their family members, retirees and members of the the civilian work force may enroll in MarineNet online for free at any Marine Corps Learning Resource Center, Deployable Learning Resource Center, or from home or office at www.marinenet.usmc.mil.