Graduation in sight after deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  A Vance officer didn't hesitate to continue with the college classmates he left behind for an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment in 2003.
An aeromedical technician staff sergeant in the Air Force reserves, now Capt. Erich Wanagat, 71st Medical Operations Squadron optometrist, began classes in 2001 at the Indiana University School of Optometry after deciding to trade in his stripes for bars.
"I'd been in school for awhile before I got the call I was needed for OIF," Captain Wanagat said. "I had just completed a three-week summer clinic and ended up missing almost the entire fall semester."
As he prepared for the deployment to Qatar and through his tour, the captain battled with thoughts of school.
"I had the usual worries before a deployment like anyone else - who would take care of my house and things. But I also wondered what I was going to do about school," Captain Wanagat said. "I thought, 'How will I catch up? Or what if I'm extended?' I even tried my hardest to study while I was deployed, but I stayed pretty busy."
When he returned, Captain Wanagat was given the option to resume classes he missed and graduate with his current class, or to repeat the semester. He chose to stay.
"Everyone was really great at working with me to get me back on track," the captain said.
His instructors were lenient in scheduling him for make-up labs and final exams, and classmates helped him narrow his studies to be better prepared for the tests.
"I missed a lot of clinic days I had to get back - I was taking three half-days a week just to make them up," he said. "I was a little rusty when I first returned, but I caught up quickly and was able to pass. My grades weren't exactly choice, but I never would have been able to accomplish what I did at all without my instructors and classmates."
"The faculty and staff at the IU School of Optometry are very proud of Erich for both serving his country and completing his Doctor of Optometry degree," said Dr. Gerald Lowther, dean of the school. "The students accepted into our very competitive program are all very capable of completing the program if they are willing to work hard enough. Our attitude is to do everything we can to help any student who needs special help because of their circumstances, especially if they are willing to work at it as hard as Erich did. Experiences as he had in the military just make him a better doctor. We are proud of Erich and his accomplishments. As dean of the school I am also proud of our faculty and staff for their dedication to all our students."
Captain Wanagat offered some advice to Airmen considering completing their education.
"Stick with it," he said. "The military may throw you curveballs, but if it's something you really want to do then stick it out. If you get deployed, try to use your little free time wisely. And if you miss classes, jump right back in the saddle when you return."