FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Cheers erupted across the auditorium as senior military officers attended their orientation for the first Command and General Staff College to be run by University of Phoenix, sources confirmed today.

Last year, University of Phoenix made headlines when it won the bid to take over management of the Army's graduate-level war college, a required step for majors as they continue progressing into the senior ranks. Under the new management, officers now have the opportunity to simultaneously earn any masters degree from the university's program offerings in addition to completing their required military studies, officials said.

"I used to be afraid employers wouldn't understand my background and education after I retire," said Maj. Ross Davidson, a field artillery officer now concurrently seeking a Phoenix M.A. in Medieval History. "I ain't just some hotshot firing the big guns no more. I'm gaining a quality education that businesses will recognize, hooah."

In an effort to cut costs, the Army had earlier announced that all officers attending CGSC would have to self-fund the mandatory career school with their entire GI Bill benefit. By partnering with a respected university that can offer a robust selection of degree programs, this is seen as the best way to ensure the DoD is still taking care of its aspiring leaders.