Service and Sacrifice: USAG Hawai‘i Celebrates Academic Achievements

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawai'i - Service Members from various branches, civilians and their family members celebrated their personal academic achievements Thursday during the Graduation Recognition Ceremony at the SGT Smith Theater.

The ceremony, hosted by U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i's Schofield Barracks Education Center, honored graduates who completed their degrees while balancing military duties, deployments, and family responsibilities.

"We see your time being cut short due to TDYs, field exercises, and short-notice deployments," Education Center staff said in their message to graduates. "We see time well spent with family and friends, often a hard choice to sacrifice for education."

Staff Sgt. Erica Johnson, from 599th Transportation Brigade, delivered the student address, and Col. Rachel Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Commander served as the keynote speaker. The program also featured performances by the 25th Infantry Division band.

This special event highlighted the unique challenges service members and military spouses faced while pursuing higher education, including managing deployments, frequent moves, and military obligations alongside coursework.

"You've demonstrated courage on the battlefield and courage in the classroom, showing that the spirit of service extends beyond this uniform," said Col. Sullivan in her keynote address.

Education Center staff emphasized their commitment to supporting service members' educational goals, providing resources such as tuition assistance (TA), financial aid guidance, and tutoring services. They praised graduates for their perseverance in utilizing programs like tuition assistance and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) while fulfilling military responsibilities.

"Your education is a tool, but it's the character you've developed through your service and sacrifices that will guide your success," Sullivan added.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional playing of the Army Song and the Tropic Lightning Song, celebrating not only academic achievement but also the broader impact of military education programs on force readiness and professional development.

The event reflects U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i's ongoing commitment to supporting the educational advancement of Soldiers and family members stationed in the Pacific, reinforcing the Army's focus on lifelong learning and professional growth.

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