MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- The Learning Resource Center (LRC) should be the heart of education information resources for active duty, retired military and Department of Defense members, but the lack of knowledge of the center's existence is preventing the facility from gaining popularity.
"Anyone on base can take advantage of the facility," said Adam J. Wazzan, senior network analyst at the LRC, located in Room 108 of Bldg. 221 aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. "We have so much to offer, but it is hard to get the word out. It is one of the Marine Corps' best kept secrets."
The center offers 40 different workstations that provide service members access to MarineNet and Marine Corps Institute programs, which enable users to complete MCIs online without going through the hassle of ordering them by mail. Once an MCI is completed online, it posts to the Marine's Marine Corps Total Force System record in 24 hours or less.
All the training provided through the programs is free of charge. Some available programs include business writing, customer service, business law and leadership. Other useful tools that are provided at the center include Excel, PowerPoint, Word, free Internet access and printing capabilities.
"Using this facility is a quick way for Marines to move up in rank by completing MCIs online, without having to wait for them in the mail," said Wazzan.
According to Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general, MCB Hawaii, the College of Continuing Education's satellite campus aboard MCB Hawaii is a dynamic institution that brings together an extraordinarily varied group of adjunct faculty staff and a highly qualified military student body from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.
The programs provided are a direct result of the joint professional military education program, a plan set up by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Credits acquired through these online programs can also be used towards furthering an education in a traditional college setting.
Wazzan explained the biggest issue regarding the facility is attendance. Service members are unaware of everything they have available to them.
"The center offers so many free programs anyone on base can and should take advantage of," said Wazzan. "It is a great facility that is here to help further education opportunities; we just have to get the word out."
For more information, contact the LRC at (808) 257-8724, or visit at www.te com.usmc.mil/LRC.