Free online tutoring service now available to Airmen, families

  • Published
  • By Elaine Wilson
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Defense Department officials here recently launched a free, online tutoring service for servicemembers and their families.

The site -- http://www.tutor.com/military -- offers round-the-clock professional tutors who can assist with homework, studying, test preparation, resume writing and more.

Marine Corps and Army families have had access to the program for more than a year. Seeing the value, DOD officials decided to expand the service for all servicemembers and their families, officials said.

"Providing 24/7 academic and career support for military families during a time when so many parents have a deployed spouse has been an important and well-received benefit for Marine Corps and Army families," said Tommy T. Thomas, the deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy.

"We are pleased to expand this program to all U.S. military families and provide peace of mind that their children are never alone when it comes to learning -- there is always a certified, professional tutor available to help," Mr. Thomas said.

"With the country fighting two major wars, Offutt servicemembers are constantly deployed due to high operations tempo. The tutorial service provides a peace of mind and assurance to active-duty members that the academic needs of family members are met during their absence," said Rebecca H. Wade, 55th Force Support Squadron Force Development Flight chief.

"The tutorial service is cost effective, easy to access and user friendly," Ms. Wade said, adding its constant availability makes it a key asset.

"The tutoring made available to families in real-time 24/7 is a great resource," said Billie Gaines, Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center director. "Families will have help from individuals well versed in a number of different subjects. This is especially helpful for students who may be struggling in a particular subject and may mean the difference between passing or failing a test or even a required subject."

The tutoring service will also help alleviate some of the frustration parents may feel when they are trying to help their children with difficult assignments, Ms. Gaines added.

Active-duty servicemembers, Guard and Reserve members on active duty in a deployed status, DOD civilians in a deployed status and their family members are eligible to participate, officials said. Along with test preparation, the site is open to students of any age, from kindergartners to high school seniors, for one-on-one help in math, science, social studies and English.

"This iniative fits directly into two of the four pillars the Air Force established for the Year of the Air Force Family," said Ms. Gaines. The four pillars are education, deployment, employment and Airmen and families.

"Taking care of families is what the Air Force has emphasized over the years," Ms. Gaines added, "and by offering this resource the Air Force is surely continuing to do just that."

"The Air Force lives up to the standard of 'taking care of its own,'" Ms. Wade added.
Tutor.com's network includes more than 1,800 professional tutors and career specialists who have delivered more than 5 million one-on-one tutoring sessions since 2001, officials said. Each tutor is certified through the site, and all sessions are recorded for quality control. (Debbie Aragon, 55th Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report)