On the Line and Online in Iraq

Posted on April 17, 2007 by Jennifer Brady

Did you know that 40,000 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are enrolled in online college courses?

My only regret about this great story is that this student isn’t attending UMassOnline. But his story is inspirational nevertheless. Every UMassOnline student concerned about time management may find a new perspective after reading this:

Between coordinating air and ground attacks on enemy insurgents in Iraq, Army Capt. Joel Parker sets aside time for rest. And homework… Joel, who is stationed in Baghdad with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team, earned his degree through online courses and hopes to be able to watch the ceremony through an online link-up.

He has done more than half the work for his degree in Iraq. Getting his coursework completed often involves more than the usual amount of skill in time management. Joel is stationed among about 15,000 soldiers at an outpost that often comes under mortar and rocket attacks. Even walking to chow involves staying alert for sniper fire. It’s the rainy season in Iraq, and he must walk a mile, often in mud up to his knees, from his living pod to the nearest computer station. There, he’ll have 30 minutes of Internet time to send out e-mails and look up resources for homework.

Congratulations Joel. I’m confident that online students everywhere are impressed and doubly encouraged by your achievement.