Marines, sailors and base personnel received their college diplomas during the 2019 Base Education Center Commencement Ceremony at the Pendleton Theater and Training Center on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 6, 2019.

Out of the 133 graduates from three colleges offered on base, approximately 50 were active-duty service members. The graduates received degrees from Central Michigan University, Park University and Central Texas College.

“We as Marines and as people should always be aspiring to become more educated,” said U.S. Marine Col. Ricardo Miagany, commanding officer of 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. “Events like this really emphasize what opportunities are on base.”

Some students attending the ceremony transferred credits from other colleges to be closer to finishing their degrees. Many of the students also transferred credits earned from professional military education courses completed throughout their military careers into their degree plans. Once the student picks a college and their credits are transferred, then they must start chipping away at the credits left to obtain their degree. In some cases, they were taking on both school and active-duty service for the majority of their career.

“I started as a private first class and completed as a chief warrant officer,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Crystal Ledbetter, the legal administration officer with the Legal Services Support Section-West, MCB Camp Pendleton. “It's a stepping stone for the next chapter of your life.”

Since a few graduates were double majors, the graduating class of 133 students earned 141 degrees. The degrees covered 35 different academic disciplines. The degrees not only set them up for a smooth transition into another career after the Marine Corps but it also makes them more competitive among their peers in regard to promotion or military occupation specialty expertise.

The Base Education Center at Camp Pendleton provides a wide range of high quality educational programs to enhance professional and personal learning for all active duty personnel and their family members. To find out more, visit the location in the 13 Area or call and speak with a representative at (760) 725-6660.