Marines

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A Marine works on a MarineNet course at the Learning Resource Center on F Street aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Aug. 3. There are seven LRC locations aboard the base to accommodate individual Marines and units to advance their personal and professional education.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Nik S. Phongsisattanak

Marines train their brains at LRCs

3 Aug 2012 | Lance Cpl. Nik S. Phongsisattanak Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Education and training can nurture and strengthen an organization. The phrase “knowledge is power” proves to be true time and time again.

The Learning Resource Centers aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune provide services to aid Marines with their personal and professional academic growth and required training courses.

The center offers annually required MarineNet courses such as Joint Anti-Terrorism and Department of Defense Information Assurance Awareness. There are also pre-deployment training and Enlisted Professional Military Education courses available.

“When I started here in 2001 there was only five courses on MarineNet, but now our library is endless,” said Charlene Whittington, the site manager with the LRC. “I can’t even count how many courses we have anymore.”

The LRC staff also assists the Marines with course enrollment, and certificates can be printed immediately upon completion. They provide Navy Marine Corps Internet network access for all active-duty Marines, internet connected computer workstations, laser printer capability, online exam proctoring and Microsoft Office on all their computers. 

“It can get crowded at the other LRCs so the new facility (on F Street) can always provide enough computer stations for everyone,” said Master Sgt. Caple Felder Jr., the sergeant major for Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

The center located on F Street opened in September of 2010, and is the currently the largest LRC in the eastern region with 39 workstations open for student use.

“Marines are going to the LRCs to do MarineNet courses because there may not be enough space in their office or unit to have everyone on a computer,” said Felder. “It’s great to have LRC accommodate the Marines because it gives them the opportunity to take classes to better themselves. If a unit needs a block of time, they can request and reserve workstations.”

Units interested in making reservations at an LRC must do it three days in advance, and units can reserve up to 23 workstations. The centers also have video telephone-training and content delivery engines.

“We have everything they need in a perfect working environment,” said Whittington. “It’s comfortable and quiet, so a student can actually sit here and study in a peaceful training environment.”

The centers also assist patrons with college exams by coordinating with colleges to obtain proctor authorization for online exams.

“It’s good to see the Marines interested in education and training outside of what’s required by the Marine Corps,” said Whittington.  “They’re taking it a step further by advancing beyond the standard.”

Marines are allowed to work on computer stations for as long as they need, and there are seven LRCs located aboard MCB Camp Lejeune.

“It’s a great feeling to be a part of this program when it started,” said Whittington. “To actually see how the program grew over the year and to be able to provide this service to the Marines is great. We operate 10 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, and we’re here to focus on helping the Marines with their education and training.”

Learning Resource Center locations:

Building 219 F Street
451-0920/0921
Open Monday through Saturday from 7 to 5 p.m.

Base Library - Building 1220 West Road
451-6760
Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 to 7 p.m.

French Creek - Building FC330 Gonzalez Boulevard
451-1447
Open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 p.m.

Building 114 A Street
450-9486
Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m.

Work Force Learning Center Building - Building 524 McHugh Boulevard Room 104
450-5168
Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m.

Building 510 N Street
449-9793
Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m.

Courthouse Bay - Building BB12
440-7459
Open Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m.