As the Navy streamlines and the senior enlisted education initiative comes into effect, all Sailors eligible for advancement to senior chief will be required to have an associate’s degree related to their rating by fiscal year 2009.

With that in mind, the Navy College office is taking steps to make it easier for junior and senior Sailors to advance their education.

“Success is where oppor-tunity meets preparation and the Navy college office has been transforming to make it much easier for Sailors to continue their education. It is each Sailors individual responsibility to get the education they need and the Navy will continue to take steps toward involving entire commands in a Sailors education,” said Jerry Fujimura, education director at Naval Base Kitsap’s Navy College office at Bangor.

The first step toward getting your rate related degree is to find out what degrees are available for your rate and through what colleges. You can do this by logging on to Navy Knowledge Online (http://www.nko.navy.mil) and clicking on “Electronic Training Jacket”, located under the learning tab. Then you’ll want to click on the “Education” tab, located under the Enlisted menu. Scroll down to a box that says, Navy College Program. That will take you to a screen where you will have an option to click on “Rating and Degree Roadmaps”. Click on that and then select your rate and this will give you the degrees available through the Navy College offices rate related degree partner school.

Now that you have an idea of what degree you would like to pursue, you should make an appointment with a Navy College councelor who will help you determine the most efficient way to get your degree.

Part of the revamp of the Navy College office is to encourage Sailors to take College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. These tests are designed to allow you to get credit for a class without having to sit through the class. That is, if you pass. The Navy College Office is encouraging this way of receiving credits because of the Navy’s tuition assistance policy of paying for a maximum of 12 credits per year. When Sailor take advantage of CLEP testing they are able to achieve their goals much quicker.

The good news about CLEP is that there are pretests available. You can take these tests at any Navy College office or on NKO and study your weak areas before the actual exam. Sailors who do not pass the CLEP test will then be recommended to take the actual class.

Finding your transcript is just as easy as looking for a degree program. It can be accessed by going through NKO or visiting the Navy College Web site (navycollege.navy.mil) and clicking on Smart College Credit, then My Transcript. This will give you a Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). This unique transcript compiles all of the credits you have earned through Navy schooling and any accredited schools you have attended in the civilian world. 

With a few clicks of a mouse, the Navy College office has made it easy for Sailors to access their transcripts and track the progress of their degrees.

The only thing left to do is call your Navy College Office and set up an appointment at the following Navy College offices: Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor (360) 315-2538, Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton (360) 476-9176.