Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson -- -- The Army Education Center, through the Army Continuing Education System, provides support to service members in the pursuit of knowledge above the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Consolidated Library.
“Education can change a Soldier’s life forever [to] become better Soldiers, better leaders and better people,” said Beverly Suenaga, Education Services officer.
The ACES mission is to vigorously promote lifelong learning opportunities to sharpen the competitive edge of the Army by providing and managing quality self-development programs and services.
In support, the AEC offers several programs, classes, and counseling to find the best learning opportunities available in Alaska. It’s open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is most active during hours of lunch and late afternoon.
“People don’t want to make mistakes … concerning their education, future, and family,” Suenaga said. “Sometimes it is very dicey or challenging, and this is why we are here.”
If there are any problems, such as needing to change a class, school, or degree, the center can help.
“The GoArmyEd portal is available to all Soldiers [24 hours a day, 365 days of the year] and this is where we can help take care of any problem immediately, but if they are at home and they have an issue, we might be closed so they provide a helpdesk,” Suenaga said. “[Some AEC employees] are here at 6:30 a.m. for Customer Resolution Management.”
If Soldiers have issues that need to be resolved concerning their education, they can submit a helpdesk case online and have it resolved by the AEC the following day, depending on the complexity of the issue.
The ACES provides career counseling, financial assistance, formal class, and a resource library. The system also promotes life-long learning opportunities, excellence in service, and improving the services to support the professional and personal development of quality Soldiers.
The resource library, separate from the JBER library, offers books and CDs for Soldiers, Airmen, dependents and civilian employees to study. The resource library has specific books and CDs for the General Education Development, Selection Instrument for Flight Training, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, and more.
“We are here to help the service member – not the blue, not the green, but the people,” Suenaga said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, our job is make your life better and to be successful by sharing what we know.”
Another available program is the Soldier For Life-Transition Assistance Program, which helps Soldiers leaving the military succeed in community, education, and career by discussing technical training, entrepreneurship, employment workshops, and financial planning.
The center also celebrates Army Education Week, an annual Department of Defense holiday in November. The center hosts the event, and has special guests talk about various subjects regarding education, such as the G.I. Bill. Local college and university representatives are on hand to discuss the classes and degrees they offer.
The Army Education Center’s main event is the annual Consolidated Graduation Ceremony. The graduation ceremony honors Soldiers, Airmen, dependents and civilian employees who have earned their GED up to Ph.D.
For more information, call 384-0970 or visit http://tinyurl.com/zyc85z5.