Max Cleland: “As the Ranking Member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I believe I can report that…”

“As the Ranking Member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I believe I can report that our Subcommittee is also very supportive of distance learning initiatives. We are keenly aware of the advantages of distance learning. As you know, Mr. President, many of our military personnel are expected to available for deployment at a moments notice. Others are deployed around the world where they do not have ready access to educational opportunities. Rapid developments in technology have enabled them to continue in their educational development, even while deployed. The ability to continue in one's educational pursuits is a quality of life issue that is not necessarily always at the top of a soldier's list. However, many military personnel are only able to pursue higher education by leaving the military. I believe the maintenance of a viable distance learning program for higher education could be a useful retention mechanism to keep highly motivated individuals in the service.”