The Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Navy College Office hosted a college fair at the Admiral Nimitz Hall, July 22.
The event featured approximately 20 colleges and universities from across the U.S. educating Sailors on the educational
opportunities available to them.
The schools, from both the East and West coast, gave insight into their distance-learning, degree, and accreditation
programs.
“We’re here to help our Sailors, our military community including family members, to realize their educational goals and
help them promote,” said Cheryl Pollock, NAS Whidbey Island Navy College director. “Starting with the September cycle
for E-4s, E-5s, and E-6s, they’ll get two advancement points for an associate degree and four points for a bachelor’s
degree, so this can definitely help some of our folks advance maybe a little quicker and maybe a little higher than they
originally thought.”
There were also NAS Whidbey Island Sailors promoting and introducing Sailors to the Navy Credentialing Opportunities
Online (COOL). Navy COOL affords Sailors the opportunity to earn qualifications for a civilian job similar to their rate to
allow for a smoother transition to civilian life.
“Navy COOL is a CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) directed program that provides the opportunity to obtain credentials that
pertain to their Navy knowledge and experiences,” Cryptologic Technician Collection 2nd Class Adam Cress, instructor for
the Center for Information Dominance Learning Site Pacific Northwest. “I’m here to show Sailors the website, hand out
information, and give them points of contact so they can contact us for any additional information they might want.
It’s not just cool, it’s Navy COOL.”
A Student Support Specialist for the University of West Florida and retired Master Chief Missile Technician, Marc Churchwell,
feels his job now of encouraging Sailors to obtain higher education is a continuation of the ideal of taking care of the Sailors
he maintained throughout his career.
“We’re providing an opportunity to Sailors to continue their education,” said Churchwell. “I’m able to be here to talk to them
help them with the process and provide them with what they have available to them and encourage them to use it. I get to
take care of the Sailors because I know how difficult it is to balance work, family, and trying to go to school if you don’t have
anyone to help you. I get to do that and enjoy it.”
“We’re just happy to be here, happy the schools came out,” said Pollock. “It’s a great opportunity.”