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CHAPTER 2
EDUCATION, ADVANCEMENT, AND CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
The Navy, in pursuit of satisfying its own training
requirements as well as the desires of the members, has
developed wide-ranging financial, educational,
advancement, and career enhancement programs. The
educational services officer (ESO) is the primary point
of contact for these programs and has a vast library of
directives and an intricate network of counselors
available. Many sailors initially join the Navy for the
educational benefits available after separation, but only
a few realize that they can pursue educational programs
while on active duty. It is the ESOs job to inform the
crew and assist them as necessary.
This chapter provides information about
educational programs available to active duty
personnel, the naval advancement system, and career
opportunities that are open to anyone who will take
advantage of them.
EDUCATION
The sailor who wishes to improve has a variety of
educational opportunities available from which to
choose. The following sections give information about
off-duty educational programs, the nonresident training
course (NRTC) program, and training manuals
(TRAMANs).
OFF-DUTY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Navy Campus office, available virtually on
every base, coordinates and administers off-duty
educational programs in your local area. The criteria for
on- and off-duty educational programs are contained in
Navy Voluntary Education Programs, CNETINST
1560.3C. Some of the available programs are described
in the following paragraphs:
. The Tuition Assistance Program provides
financial assistance for attendance at civilian
educational institutions on a voluntary off-duty basis to
earn high school or college credits. Tuition assistance
may be used for vocational and technical training as well
as for courses leading toward undergraduate and
graduate degrees.
. The Instructor Service Program provides
education through command-organized classes that
satisfy command needs or requirements. The objectives
of such instructions are to raise individual educational
levels and to increase job performance effectiveness.
Classes may include academic, professional, technical,
or vocational subjects at all educational levels.
Dependents and civilians may attend classes on a
space-available basis.
. The Navy Campus Certificate/Degree Program
enables an individual to complete requirements for a
high school diploma; pursue a civilian apprenticeship
program; and earn a vocational certificate, a 2-year
associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. The key
benefit of this program is to allow members to earn
college degrees at participating colleges and universities
without formal attendance. Participating colleges and
universities waive residency requirements to attend
class on campus. They also accept up to 75 percent of
degree credits through college-approved, nontraditional
means such as Navy schools, the College Level
Examination Program (CLEP), the Defense Activity for
Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES), or
the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
. The Program for Afloat College Education
(PACE) permits members assigned to ships an
opportunity to attend college while underway. Under
PACE I, a civilian instructor embarks on a naval vessel
and teaches undergraduate level college courses. PACE
courses are fully accredited and can lead to the
completion of an associate degree. PACE II is an
independent study program. Courses taught under
PACE are fully funded by the Navy; however, students
are required to pay course registration fees stipulated in
the current PACE contract and to purchase their own
books.
. The Navy Campus Basic Skills Program offers
on-duty instruction in reading English and mathematics
to guarantee naval personnel possess the minimum skill
levels necessary to carry out the overall mission of the
Navy.
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