Warner wrote on May 12, 2008 5:51 AM: There is something missing here. I have been retired from the military since 1971. During my service the general theme for each man was education even back then. There were required courses that each individual had to take, and there were practical factor (skills) one had to demonstrate that had been mastered. And then there was the University of Maryland courses, High school and college, that service men were given credit toward a civilian degree. There were approved courses given by qualified personnel that could be counted toward a high school diploma or a college degree. There were programs that assisted a person with the cost of attending local civilian colleges off base. At present there are civilian colleges holding classes on the military bases. My first attempt toward a college degree was while stationed at the NAS Patuxent River Maryland. I signed up for a class in bone-head English at the ST. Marys Women's college near the base. The county was using the class rooms in the evening to teach continuing education classes. There were programs where a qualified person could remain attached to the Navy and Marines while attending two year colleges full time, such as Palomar College in San Marcos. Education has always been one of major consideration when a person is being evaluated for advancement and as a leader. The education one had accomplished counted; however, the educational programs a person was currently involved in counted much more. I am sure that military leaders in today's services has a responsibility to make the personnel under him aware of what educational programs are available in any given situation and that the educational advancement of those people he leads is a part of his Fitness Report. If not, somebody is really dropping the ball big time! I learned that last statement in civilian life. lol It is a simple matter for an individual person serving in the military to go to their base Education Office where there are people whose primary responsibility is to help one past the point where it appears that for them the situation is hopeless. Been there, done that - in both - as a student and working in the education office.

done alot wrote on May 12, 2008 9:40 AM:I see many young veterans not taking full advantage of all of their benefits, primarily educational ones. I am a heavy equipment mechanic and have done that for 30 years. I fell into that trade because I couldn't afford a proper college education. It has been hard earned money, with little satisfaction, crappy employers, and little job satisfaction. Every mature man in this trade that I know feels the same; that they wish they had educational opportunities to have done better. Many had military education benefits that they wasted or did not use. This is good advice being given,take advantage of those educational benefits that you earned so that when you are older like me you will not have regrets.

Darrell wrote on May 12, 2008 12:03 PM:The CG is giving out good advice. I retired from the Corps in 96. Then I went to college to finish my degree. I took the education advice to heart my first hitch, but being in combat units most of my career (my choice) it was hard to get all the classes I needed and we didn't have colleges that had extension classes available at all duty stations. The young lads and lasses today have great ed opportunities we didn't have when I first started. I can't agree with "done alot" more. Get it while it's available and DON'T WASTE YOUR GI BILL BEBEFITS. I was lucky and finished my degree for many reasons, but foremost was to set an example for my kids that education was important and not just talk. And I refused to let the government off the hook for benefits I had earned. So take the CG's advice, even if you end up like me and you are on the "30 Year Degree Completion Program", it's worth it in more ways than you can imagine. Semper Fidelis Marines.

Sgt Maj wrote on May 12, 2008 12:13 PM:I am extremely disappointed in the wording used on this article, espcially the print edition. Marines take a very dim view of the term "Hand Out". Promotions and Awards, especially combat awards, are not handed out. They are not candy. When Marines say someone was "handed" and award or promotion it is used derisively,(defined by Webster as "expressing derision; contempt; mocking"). I realize most "civilians" don't know about this level of professionalism that exist in the Marine Corps. But perhaps you could pass this on letter on to your staff, editors, and reporters; since I am sure they did not intend to demean the promotions or awards these Marines earned. Semper Fidelis.