One of the great things about the U.S. Army is that they are committed to providing their service personnel with education opportunities. Much of that is done through distance learning, so that soldiers can increase their knowledge and understanding when deployed. According to James Feldkamp, one of the courses that soldiers could benefit from in particular, including when done through distance learning, is that of counter terrorism.

Why Distance Learning Matters According to James Feldkamp

There are numerous reasons why service personnel should be encouraged to engage in distance learning, only one of which is the fact that they may be deployed. These professionals also work difficult hours and they can be called up at any point. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the U.S. Army has so much online in house training available as well. But, according to James Feldkamp at least, it isn’t just about providing training, it is about providing the right training. This means that their newfound knowledge can be applied to keeping the country safe and free.

James Feldkamp on Counter Terrorism Education

By learning about counter terrorism, soldiers and other service personnel in the army can gain a greater understanding of the real problems that are facing the world today. The media has painted a distorted image of terrorism, branding it as something only done by Islamic jihadists from Arab nations in the Middle East. In reality, however, domestic terrorism is just as dangerous and a lot more prevalent. And a lot of domestic terrorism is not done in the name of Islam, but rather in the name of Christianity.

The definition of terrorism is that it is an action that is designed to instill fear into others, based on a particular ideology. A white young man who shoots up a school, therefore, is just as much a terrorist as a Syrian refugee who drives a truck into a crowd. This is information that all citizens, all over the world, should be aware of, and not just army personnel. However, it is even more important for the army to be aware of this, since they are the ones charged with keeping ordinary civilians free. They must, therefore, be able to recognize the signs of terrorism, domestic and foreign alike, on home soil, in foreign nations, and on land, sea, and air. It is their responsibility to take appropriate action as and when it is necessary.

Army personnel must learn about terrorism and counter terrorism operations. However, due to their time constraints, difficult working hours, and deployments, they can only do so through online learning. Thankfully, interactive learning has proven to be as efficient as classroom learning, if not more so. Hence, James Feldkamp believes that today’s soldiers can become even better at what they do with ease, and he is heartened to see that the U.S. Army is on board with that. After all, this in turn means that people will be safer as well.