Yokota NCO earns bachelors' degree while balancing deployment, marriage

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R. Michael Longoria
  • 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force - Iraq
TIKRIT, Iraq --  Most Airmen will return home from their deployment with a few new friends and a few interesting stories to tell but one noncommissioned officer deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher will also return home to her husband with the next level of her education completed.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gissell Gilbert, deployed from the 374th Communications Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, is working on the last class needed to earn her bachelor of science in Information Technology Management.

"Completing my degree has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," Sergeant Gilbert said. "It was hard work but I actually enjoyed learning."

On her third deployment but first one without her husband, Tech. Sgt. Andy Gilbert, she has completed 36 credit hours toward her bachelors' degree since July 2010.

"I was in awe of what she has accomplished since the beginning of her deployment," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Bowles, COB Speicher's direct support signal team NCO in charge. "She is an inspiration to me and the other Airman that with a little hard work and focus, you can earn your degree while on active duty."

Sergeant Gilbert felt the process was simpler than she thought it would be, especially being away from her husband of three years and living in a country she has never been to.

"It's easy once you get into a routine," Sergeant Gilbert said. "I actually found it easier to complete my school work here since there are fewer distractions, but all you really need is proper time management."

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native completed her associates in applied science of Information Management through the Community College of the Air Force in December 2009.

"Is important to complete your CCAF degree because it is beneficial whether you stay in the military or get it after your enlistment is up," said Sergeant Bowles. "The Air Force gives us various opportunities to improve our education and technical abilities."

Sergeant Gilbert then began working on her bachelors through Touro University Institute in California.

"I'm getting a degree in line with my job in the Air Force," she said. "It will improve my technical ability and improve the effectiveness at which I do my job."

As the automated data processing and equipment NCO in charge for COB Speicher's direct support signal team, Sergeant Gilbert and her team are responsible for ensuring all computers on the base are standardized and properly configured to be on the network.

"We give the all units here the ability to communicate within the Iraq area of responsibility and across the world," she said. "Technology plays an important part in today's operations and we ensure the technology here functions properly."

Even though she isn't approaching retirement, the nine year Air Force veteran is getting ready for her future outside of the military.

"I want to be prepared for when I get out of the Air Force," Sergeant Gilbert said. "Technology keeps progressing and upgrading. It's not going away, so I'll always have a job."