By Vicki Salami and Ysolt Usigan

"Helicopters interrupted my homework."

"A mortar attack caused me to lose my Internet connection."

These aren't new spins on old academic excuses - they are true stories of men and women in the Armed Forces combating time and geographic restrictions by continuing their studies online. Though their first priority is defending our overall freedom, more and more of those serving overseas are salvaging their educational freedom as well. Thanks to online programs specifically designed for those in the military, many are able to continue their education despite being a world away.

From Combat to Coursework
Student: Charlotte McKeel
Location: 101st Airborne Division, Campbell, Kentucky

Charlotte McKeel, a former member of the 101st Airborne Division, initially enrolled in online classes at the University of Phoenix as a diversion from combat.

"While I was in Iraq, I saw my associate degree as a distraction from what was going on around me," McKeel explains. Though she spent half her time in Fort Campbell, KY, with the 101st Airborne Division working with a Blackhawk Unit, she spent the other half in Iraq near the city of Mosul as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At the time, she was plagued with connectivity issues - "mortar attacks from the opposing side, and technical difficulties that come with being out in the middle of nowhere." But the situation has since improved for eLearning military personnel.

"Connections are stronger and more soldiers are able to attend classes if they choose," she says. "It's nice to know that in a situation like that, you're able to accomplish something for yourself, along with helping your country."

When she returned to the states, McKeel, a resident of Mesa, AZ, reenrolled in online classes and is now a few weeks shy of completing the first part of her degree in secondary education.

"I wouldn't have been able to get this far if it hadn't been for the military department at the University of Phoenix," she says. She was so appreciative, in fact, that she applied for a job. "Within three days of getting out of the Army, I had a job as a military enrollment counselor at the same school that helped me get my degree."

A Spouse's Good Advice
Student: Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Robert Sutton
Location: Lajes, Island of Terceira in Azores Archipelago, Portugal

When Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Sutton was stationed in Portugal, he was referred to the American Military University (AMU) by his most trusted advisor - his wife, Dalia. "She had taken classes through AMU and was constantly raving about it," he says. "I had originally resisted online learning because I thought I learned better face-to-face."

Sutton hoped a degree would help lead to his acceptance into officer training school. He also wanted to one day command his own weather team.

So the non-commissioned officer in charge of a combat weather team chose to enroll in a university that offered classes on the base. What he found was frustration. He says he couldn't get the support he needed and questioned whether earning a degree was worth the hassle.

Not willing to forego his educational dreams, he gave AMU a shot and received the attention he was looking for. "I can't think of a single time at AMU where it has taken more than 12 hours to have a question answered," he says. Now, only six classes away from earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, one way Sutton is applying what he's learned on the job is by developing a duty status spreadsheet for his boss.

Between a full-time career as a technician and cyber student, Sutton manages to balance his daily duties as a dad - like getting his kids ready for school, helping them with homework, and spending quality time with them - with earning a degree, making a living, and staying in shape.

On weekdays, he gets up as early as 6 a.m., on weekends, 8 a.m. Once the kids are ready for the day, Sutton's Air Force duties begin. Work sometimes consists of installing new lightning detection systems, briefing commanders on project status, and corresponding with other professionals.

During his lunch break and downtime, Sutton checks e-mail, correspond with classmates and professors, monitors newsgroups, and works on class assignments. Most of his schoolwork is accomplished after his kids go to bed.

Sutton's technical know-how makes it easy for him to complete assignments online. "I am very computer savvy and try to let it do as much of my work as possible," he explains. From using Microsoft Word for term papers, Excel for spreadsheets and decision analysis, and the Internet for research, he accomplishes all of his scholastic tasks online without a hitch. He also attributes AMU's supportive and interactive faculty to his success. "I have yet to have a professor who didn't bend over backward to help me understand something, even to the point where I have had to call them at home to discuss issues."

Sutton couldn't ask for anything more with such exceptional service and outstanding courses. "As an officer, I'm expected to be at the top of my game - a 'go-to' guy," he explains. "AMU is helping me achieve that. Enrolling was the best decision I made - other than asking Dalia to marry me."

A Single Mother's Balancing Act
Student: Tech. Sgt. Christie R. Watson
Location: Panama City, FL

Christie Watson is attending the American Military University (AMU) in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in hospitality and management. Since she's on active duty serving in the Air Force and working 12-hour shifts - day and night - online schooling was a great alternative to brick-and-mortar education. "I wanted to attend college, but with my work schedule and child-care needs, it was almost impossible," says the air surveillance technician.

Seven years after Watson's daughter was born, she started looking into online educational opportunities.

"I was surprised to discover that I could finish my degree at home on my computer without ever having to step foot into a classroom," she says. "It was extremely easy to register for classes at AMU using my computer, and my military tuition benefits covered all expenses."

Although Watson's schedule is jam-packed with professional, student, and personal duties, she allocates her time the best way she knows how. During her 12-hour shift working at the Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Watson sometimes has the opportunity to log on and do homework. "On my days off, I try to catch up on all my assignments," she explains. Professors usually like each week's assignments turned in by midnight on Sunday, but Watson says even that deadline is flexible.

A typical week's assignment includes reading a few chapters in the textbook and writing a summary of findings, or researching a topic and writing an essay about it. "I use search engines a lot for research, and Microsoft Word for my assignments," she says. "Those are the only programs I've ever needed to complete my homework."

When it comes to cyber services, Watson boasts about AMU's offerings. You can view your profile, see your grades, and check what assignments you have left to accomplish, she explains. "I can e-mail my teacher or other students, participate in chats, take exams, and use a virtual library and endless tools to help with my education," she affirms. As for textbooks, they're shipped to Watson's house via UPS. "I love the fact that I can do my homework whenever and wherever I have the time," she says.

And, when she need to interact with her professors above and beyond the cyber realm, she just reaches out. "My professors usually provide their home e-mail addresses and phone numbers so that we can stay in touch if we have any questions or concerns."

Of course, Watson makes time for her personal life, too. "In addition to working full time, going to school, and raising my daughter, I have a wedding to plan," explains the recently engaged mom. "It's difficult to balance all the things I have going on, and I find myself having to prioritize what's most important." One of Watson's rewards for completed assignments: TiVO'ing her favorite TV shows and watching them after her coursework is done.

Watson constantly has assignments with approaching due dates, textbooks to read, and tests to take. She stays motivated by adhering to a simple motto: "If I don't do the work, I'll fail. If I do the work, I'll succeed," she explains. "Success is my ultimate goal."

Higher Ed' Amidst Helicopters
Student: Corporal Russell Schyler
Location: Camp Anaconda, Iraq

University of Phoenix online student Corporal Russell Schyler is a U.S. Marine deployed to Camp Anaconda in Iraq. His ultimate goal is law school, but for now he balances online undergraduate study with the intake of wounded marines. After the Columbine High School (Littleton, CO) graduate witnessed the events of the infamous shootings, he decided to join the military. But not before attempting to pursue college.

"I graduated from Columbine in 2000, then went to a community college for a year," he explains. "After a horrible second semester, I decided it was time to follow my dream of going into the military."

After serving in the Marine Corps for more than three years, he revisited his academic dream of earning a degree. Through the University of Phoenix's programs, he is able to log on and learn when it is convenient for him, a major benefit to the Corporal's busy schedule.

"I find it hard sometimes to make simple deadlines due to my workload, but the nice thing about being online is I can do it when I have time," he notes.

Like when he had only five-minute intervals to log on in between helicopter landings. "And there was a time where I wasn't able to log into the class for over a week because I was in the field," he explains. Though he wishes he could double up on classes, he has accepted that for now, he must take his studies one step at a time.

As he gets ready to leave Balad, Iraq (about 40 miles north of Baghdad) to return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (San Diego, CA), he has his sights set even higher - to continue his online education and then advance to law school. "I want to make sure I get the best degree I can to help me get into the schools I wish to attend," he explains.

His ultimate dream? "To become a Marine Officer in the law field."

The Armed Forces' Academic Tactics
One of the biggest draws of the Armed Forces is its tuition assistance (TA) program, which pays up to 100 percent of tuition expenses for members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

The Armed Forces is so committed to helping members earn degrees, it realized the importance of anytime, anywhere education back in 1974. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES), an organization created by the Department of Defense, helps members earn degrees or certification through nontraditional learning while continuing to serve the country.

DANTES works with thousands of online institutions such as the University of Phoenix, Pennsylvania State University, University of North Carolina, the University of Maryland, and more.

Along with TA and DANTES, members of the military are also eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill and federal financial aid. The Montgomery GI Bill provides payment for off-duty training and education, including any schooling completed online from an accredited college or university. Cyber service-minded students are also eligible for tuition aid under the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).