The Army announced a $600-million distance-Teaming initiative to help soldiers complete college "anytime, anyplace, anywhere they can take their laptop."

Army Secretary Louis Caldera called on colleges and universities, Internet companies, hardware and software companies and others to prepare and submit bids to the Army offering technology and extensive curriculum for soldiers.

The resulting program, "Army University Access Online," is expected to help soldiers obtain college degrees or technical certifications through Internet-based courses while they serve using laptop computers and vastly expanded learning opportunities.

Caldera said the revolutionary distance-Teaming program would run initially at two or three selected installations to be announced later this summer. The goal is to see the program implemented Army wide.

The program will be available to all active-duty, Reserve and National Guard members. Soldiers will be provided with such resources as tuition assistance, textbooks, laptops, printers, Internet access, academic counseling, help desk, course offering and a command climate that creates a true lifelong learning community.

Expansion of the program could eventually make it available to Army families as well.

The program can be accessed online at wwweARMYU.com.

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