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Warrior-scholar hits the books in Iraq

May 13, 2005

Lt Stuart BaldwinsonMost university students’ biggest worries are balancing study with having fun and getting to their lectures on time. But for University of New England student Stuart Baldwinson there is also 40-degree heat, blinding dust storms and the threat of mortar attack to contend with, while he is serving with the Australian Army Training Team in Iraq (AATTI-3).

Lieutenant Baldwinson, 33, is one of 60 Australian Army personnel studying at UNE through the Junior Officer Professional Education Scheme (JOPES), an Army program that gives officers without an undergraduate degree the chance to get a university education.

The Army introduced the scheme in 1990 to answer a need for its officers to have a more rounded education, greater critical thinking and writing skills. Most participants in the scheme complete their degrees through UNE, a specialist in distance education.

Lt Baldwinson is studying for a Bachelor of Professional Studies, a degree designed by UNE for members of the defence force and the police, which includes administration and leadership skills, civil care, security, history and cultural studies. Since arriving in Iraq Lt Baldwinson has completed one subject, Introduction to Society and Culture, and commenced a second, Introduction to Peace Studies. He has also been researching Islam and Iraqi culture and history.

“I believe that having a good understanding of the country’s history and culture assists in building good rapport with the Iraqi people,” Lt Baldwinson said.

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely each day with the Iraqi people. Although the subjects I am studying do not directly relate to my military role in Iraq, I believe that they are supplementing my understanding of the Iraqi people and their culture, which assists in developing a good rapport with them.”

Lt Baldwinson is a member of the AATTI-3 Officer Training Team, whose mission is to train officers in the new Iraqi Army. He is involved in teaching logistics, including transport, maintenance and supply, to the Iraqi officers. He is also the unit’s PT (physical training) instructor, and leads a vigorous training regimen twice a day.

The mission is not without danger and previous AATTI deployments have come under rocket and mortar fire from insurgents. Despite the pressures of military life, Lt Baldwinson said he did not find studying in a war zone especially stressful and that “studying in Iraq is no different to home.” Far from being a distraction, he said studying helped him manage his time and assisted in passing the day quicker.

“I usually study in the morning for one hour and then after work,” he said. “I have built my study into my daily routine and set myself realistic, yet challenging goals to achieve while here. Do I stress over assignments? Of course I do, I like to do the best I can with each assignment. Stress is a part of life. You just have to learn to cope with it.

“I chose to study for two reasons. Firstly, for my own professional development, having a tertiary qualification is of benefit later in your career. Secondly, I intend to complete this degree and go onto postgraduate studies in the field of education. I have a passion for teaching and it is my intention when I leave the Army to become a schoolteacher.”

Army Liaison Officer at UNE Capt Roz Rice said despite coming from a different intellectual environment, most military students succeeded at university, showing the same dedication to their studies as they did to serving their country.

“They all strive to get good grades. I think that is a reflection of their professionalism as members of the Australian Army,” Capt Rice said.

For more information, and a photo to accompany this story, phone Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771.

Posted by Leon Braun at May 13, 2005 10:47 AM