We’ve been working to set up free and discounted prep courses for soldiers who are trying to get ready for the LSAT.  Here’s an e-mail update we received from Carina Ballard, a US soldier (a lieutenant, I believe). This really puts some LSAT struggles in perspective.

I am stationed in Tallil, Iraq which is southern Iraq, on Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder.  It is the hottest and dustiest part of the country.

I had some issues with LSAC registering and paying for the test.  They actually emailed me the wrong registration deadline and when I tried to register it obviously didn’t work.  I had to make several phone calls (which is not easy here) to work it out.  Luckily I had saved the emails from LSAC and could verify that they had in fact misinformed me.  Eventually it worked out, but it was difficult.

I started out studying in my room, but that was problematic because my roommate works the day shift and I work the night shift so I was studying in the dark balancing books on my knees with a tiny light and trying not to make any noise.  So that really didn’t work.  Instead, I started coming into the trailers where my Tactical Operations Center (TOC) is and working there all night, but a lot of people come in and out so I eventually moved out of there as well.  I ended up having the most success working in a spare office in my Battalion Commander’s office trailer.  It was the only quiet place and very few people were in it in the middle of the night.

I could only study on my nights off from my regular position as a Battle Captain/CH-47D pilot so I didn’t get a lot of time at first.  There are always flights on mission, MEDEVACs we are tracking, and surrounding bases receiving indirect fire, etc so the TOC is always busy and not conducive to studying.  Eventually, my supervisor saw what I was trying to do and worked with me to design a schedule that allowed me more time to study the last two to three weeks before the test. He was also very supportive and allowed me to take 4 days away from work in order to take the test because I had to fly to Baghdad to take the test at the education center there.  We have had a lot of problems with weather or maintenance cancelling flights, so he allowed me to try to fly out 2 days in advance to ensure I would make the testing date and hopefully have some time to relax a bit before.  I was very fortunate to have a supervisor who is so supportive, many here would not be as helpful or understanding.

The testing center is at Joint Base Victory (JBV) in Baghdad.  I flew on one of our UH-60s to get there on the 27th of September and flew back the day after the test on the 30th on one of our CH-47s.  I believe all of the test-takers (6) had to fly in or convoy from somewhere; no one was stationed at JBV. It was of course to my advantage that I work with these aircraft and missions every day and can manifest myself on any flight I need.

Victory Base is a really nice base centered around Saddam’s old Al Faw Palace (in comparison to Tallil at least – we don’t have grass or trees).  The testing center itself was alright.  It was a little noisy at times and the room we tested in was somewhat cramped with shaky squeaking tables and my chair had a broken back.  The proctor, a U.S. civilian, was very kind and helpful.  She said that 6 test-takers is the most they have ever seen there for the LSAT.   Overall, it was adequate, though not ideal.

I don’t think I had the tough time that Drew [another soldier] had, considering I at least had office space to work with.  I think he told me he did most of his studying sitting in a humvee.  Regardless of our different situations, all soldiers in combat who are trying to accomplish something like this face many small detractors that add up: constant stress of direct or indirect fire, heat (120-140 degrees), irregular sleep patterns, no personal living or work space, unreliable internet, supervisors who may be unsupportive, no real time off, and of course the demands of the mission – whatever it may be for that individual.  The mission always comes first, regardless of your personal endeavors.  You have to split your focus between the mission and possibly the biggest test of your immediate future, which is difficult, especially when your life or the life of your fellow soldiers is at risk.

Good luck, Carina, and thank you.