New testing center opens for servicemembers at Camp Bucca

Published July 31, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden
386th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Military members on Camp Bucca looking for a place to accommodate their educational needs now have one in a new testing facility recently opened on the camp.
The center, run by test control officer Master Sgt. Mark Leuquire, is capable of administering Career Course Development end-of-course tests, DANTES Subject Standardized tests, College Level Examination Program tests and proctored exams.

Its opening eliminates many of the problems created with the way testing was conducted at Camp Bucca prior to its establishment.

"Before the center opened, a TCO would travel to Camp Bucca from another base in Southwest Asia either by convoy or helicopter once a quarter to administer tests for a period of three to four days, said Sergeant Leuquire. "The testing sessions were usually short notice, so not everyone was able to get the opportunity to test. If it wasn't their day off, many were unable to make a session."

With the opening of the center, Airmen who only had the circumstantial opportunity to receive education now have a full-fledged benefit. And many have taken advantage of it.

In its first 45 days of operation, the Camp Bucca testing control center has completed 186 college level entrance examinations and coordinated 1,369 electronic exams with the U.S. State Department. The center has also proctored foreign language certification tests for Soldiers and administered over 150 CLEP and DANTES tests to servicemembers.

Since opening, the center also has a 100 percent CDC pass rate among Airmen testing there.

"Supervisors here have done a remarkable job in preparing their Airmen for CDC testing," Sergeant Leuquire said. "Being deployed and knowing their CDCs must still be completed is an extra burden on an already full plate for a lot of Airmen here, but the satisfaction they get knowing they have completed them before returning home is worth the effort."

The testing control center has all the essentials for taking care of servicemembers' educational needs, whether career related or personal, including ten separate stations capable of being used for testing or independent study by any military member deployed to or visiting the Camp Bucca area.

Sergeant Lequire, who is deployed from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., also has plans to improve some of the center's main functions in the future. One of them is obtaining official mail capability, which would allow CLEP and DANTES tests to be administered every day.

For many Airmen, the center has proved to have a long lasting effect on the completion of their overall educational needs and goals despite the short time it's been open for business.

"The opportunity to further my education while deployed to Southwest Asia is the biggest morale booster there is," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Sobecki, 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. "It is better than any morale, wellness and recreation center, and the work Sergeant Leuquire has put forth to assist us here with it has been phenomenal."

Senior Airman Kate Babel, a member of the 586th ESFS, agrees.

"Education has given me security for my future, as well as motivation to work towards any goals that I have now or later on down the road," Airman Babel said. "I had planned on only taking CLEPS and DANTES tests during this deployment, but knowing now that I'll be able to get more of my general courses out of the way, I've started college classes as well. It was something unexpected, but great. It's an amazing way to make the most out of a deployment."

The center is also making big waves with group and wing commanders in the area, who look to establish the best possible avenues and opportunities for taking care of deployed servicemembers under their command.

"The testing control facility at Camp Bucca is a critical resource to the deployed military members who must keep their professional certifications updated and progress professionally in their military specialties, as well as those who are actively enrolled in college courses," said Col. Cameron Torrens, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

"Our mission here is of the utmost importance, as is the welfare of our Airmen and other military members deployed to the area," Colonel Torrens said. "The opening of the center will go a long way to ensuring they are able to take care of their educational needs and goals while serving on the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism."

Camp Bucca is the home of the largest theater internment facility in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Its new testing facility is capable of supporting the education needs of all Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen deployed to the camp, some 5,600 servicemembers in all.

BUCCA test center