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Sgt. Daniel Crowe strives to be "all he can be" in the Army and in his college courses. Crowe takes online classes while being deployed in the Middle East.

Preparing for classes while preparing for deployment

Sergeant Daniel Crowe prepares for his upcoming deployment while continuing his education online

By: Aaron Knowles

Posted: 6/4/09

One of the worst things that can take place during a study session is loud distracting noises.

Whether it is the neighbors, a room mate, or a child practicing for a band it can be harmful to study habits.

But what if the distraction was an incoming attack alarm, gun fire, or any other battle field noise?

Today, that is the case for some Pierce College students.

It is well known that many students who frequent the campus are also soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Other students are possibly children, spouses, or parents of a Pierce College student soldier.

Whatever the relationship, it is known that deployments can and will happen to soldiers. It is not a decision that is made by the soldier.

It is a decision made for the soldier, which means that a deployment may not come at the most opportune time for these soldiers.

This also means that soldiers who are students must not only prepare their personal lives for deployment, but their education as well.

Sgt. Daniel Crowe of the U.S. Army, has been attending Pierce College for almost three years.

He has deployment experience as well as experience studying at Pierce during these deployments.

"I usually have all of my classes picked out before I deploy, and I have my books shipped to me during the deployment," Crowe said.

Sgt. Crowe began his education at Pierce during a deployment.

"I decided that I was not going to pass up free education from the military and use the off duty time I had during a deployment to improve my education, and myself." Crowe said.

During Sgt. Crowe's first deployment he began taking a psychology class.

He felt that one class at a time would not overwhelm him, or distract him from the mission at hand.

"The hardest part of studying overseas is not the studying, but taking the necessary classes. Some classes are not offered online," Crowe said.

To enroll in classes, soldiers who are deployed use a website called GoArmyEd.com.

This website allows soldiers anywhere in the world to enroll in classes, search for course material and it even gives hints about general education.

"I was surprised at how simple it was to start the educational process," Crowe said.

With only two classes left to take, Sgt. Crowe is eagerly looking forward to graduating and moving onto the next level in his education.

"I began attending Pierce with the intent to make myself more competitive for promotions and jobs above my peers," Crowe said. All Soldiers in the Army have the choice to sign up for classes at any time.

The U.S. Army even offers incentives for soldiers who attend college.

Credits are worth promotion points that can be used when trying to reach the next rank.

Some leaders in the Army see a soldier with college credits as a person who takes initiative.

At the end of the day the goals of students are the same. Study hard, successfully pass the class, and graduate.

People may study in the dorms, in the library, or in a war zone, but their intentions and goals are the same.

Even if it is a better job, a new skill or the next rank, students and Soldiers alike are only trying to improve themselves, their lives, and especially the world around them.