66

Associate Degrees Open Doors for Veterans

Because not all associate degrees are created

equal, these tips will help you pick the best one.

Forensic science, health care, criminal justice,

and information technology: these are all hot job markets. All are attainable post-military careers with a two-year associate degree. However, not all associate degrees are

created equal.

It’s important to know your goals, your school and your desired career before committing to a course program. These three components are integral to your long-term career strategy.

Goals:

Knowing whether you’re career military or whether you’re getting out after the first tour affects your education options. Ginny Newman, assistant director of military education for Penn State University, said there is a significant difference between an Associate of Science degree (AS) and an Associate of Arts (AA) and how it relates to a military career.

The Associate of Science usually focuses on more math and science courses that are needed for specific professional training. An Associate of Arts focuses on more humanities courses that normally encompass more core courses in a bachelor’s degree. A career military member should tend to favor an Associate of Arts because it allows more streamlined opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree. Traditionally, obtaining a bachelor’s or associate degree is more important for military promotion than the actual choice of major. Also, liberal arts programs do not have a shelf life.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is typically designed for students preparing for entry-level employment or to upgrade in a specific occupation. Russell Tresner is the military coordinator for the University of Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Studies. He is also a 26-year Air Force Veteran. Tresner obtained an AAS while in the military, which actually delayed his educational objectives.

“If you pursue the applied degree, you’re probably not getting the credits you need for most bachelor’s degrees,” Tresner said. “You should go for an applied degree if you’re interested in one technical area and not planning on completing a bachelor’s program. The AAS is a degree that allows someone to work in a technical field.”

School:

Make sure that your two-year associate degree is from a school that the university will accept. It’s a common mistake a lot of students make, Newman said.

MAY - JUNE 2012

““EEvveerryy SSaaiilloorr iiss aa SSttuuddeenntt””

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story

1481 D Street, Bldg. 3016 Norfolk, VA 23459-2434

Customer Service Hours Monday – Friday 0900-1600

COM: (757) 462-8279 DSN: 253-8279 FAX: (757) 462-4693

NCO Staff

Jacqueline Rhodes, Director Rick Hollingsworth, Counselor Ken Clarke, Counselor John Begley, Counselor Charlene Cofield, Counselor Jean Powell, Ed Tech

NAS OCEANA EDUCATION

SERVICES CENTER 902 E Avenue, Bldg. 531, Ste 101 Virginia Beach, VA 23461-2098

Customer Service Hours Monday – Friday 0900-1600

(Onsite Counselor- Tuesdays & Thursdays*)

COM: (757) 433-3129 DSN: 433-3129

FAX: (757) 433-3200

https://www.navycollege.navy.mil

Degrees open doors for VETs

1

ACT/SAT Testing Schedule 2 Funding College Workshop 3

Using TA 4

Transferring Your GIBILL 4 March Calendar 5

June Calendar 6 School Spotlight 7

Customer Service Hours

8

Toll Free: (877)-253-7122

DSN: 922-1828

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NAVY COLLEGE

OFFICE

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 2

Strategy:

A long-term education strategy should be based on what career you desire, and not necessarily the job you have right now. Tresner was an MP in the Army but has been a teacher for the past 15 years.

“Whether you’re an infantryman or a corpsman in the hospital, look at what you want to do,” Tresner said. “What do you enjoy? (Continued on Next Page)

Associate Degrees Open Doors for Veterans (Continued from previous page)

Then prepare yourself while you’re in the military to do what you want to do after you get out.” Once you’ve decided on a career field, focus initially on general studies courses in your associate degree program. This is the foundation for any degree program. Save technical coursework for the end of your program. This will ensure your education is as current as possible and that none of the equipment and software has fallen out of date.

Steven Roy Goodman, educational consultant and admissions strategist and author of “College Admissions Together: It Takes a Family,” said if you’re having trouble deciding what to do, take a look at each school’s course offerings on the Web and decide how they match up to your military acquired skills.

“You’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Goodman said. “A lot of the skill sets you have are directly applicable to the courses offered.”

The Certification Route A quick education solution is to obtain a certification in a specified field until you’re ready to dive into a degree program . This document certifies that you have met a certain standard in continued education, experience and testing. Certifications vary by type and industry. Do not confuse certification with graduate certificates, which require a bachelor’s degree. Please keep in mind that certification programs are not eligible for tuition assistance.

If you have any questions about, degree programs, college selection or tuition assistance, your Navy College Office is available to assist you. Please call us at 757-462-8279.

JEB LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY

NAVY COLLEGE TESTING FY12 SCHEDULE

SAT ACT GED and Pre-GED Testing

By appt only. Call 757-462-8279 May 02 May 09

May 16 June 13 DLPT, DLAB, OPI administered by

NAVSTA Norfolk. Call 757-444-9245 June 06

June 20*

*last SAT until Oct 2012

UPCOMING EVENTS

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 3

Funding a College Education

The Virginia Tidewater Consortium’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

brings you a briefing that will focus on grants & loans from the federal government, state

financial aid programs, surviving scholarship searches, and the overall application process

Hosted by the Navy College Office

Open to all military personnel, retirees, family members, and other base employees/personnel. Both locations require normal base access.

This program includes information that will assist adult students opting to return to college later in life, rising high school JUNIORS & SENIORS, parents

of all high school students, and others who may be facing the rising expenses of college in the very near future

Local military scholarship representatives will be on hand to provide information on their awards, and they do plan to stay afterwards for your

specific questions

Location Building Room Date Time

JEB

Little Creek 3016

Navy College

Room 236 & 237

Tuesday

15 May 2012 1130

Naval Station Norfolk I E Navy College

Classroom #15

Wednesday

13 June 2012 1130

A question & answer session will follow each presentation

Appointments for FREE financial aid counseling and FAFSA application

assistance can be scheduled with an Educational Opportunity Center counselor after the presentation

>>> PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL IN ADVANCE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT(S) <<<

Contact: Darryl Greenwell at (757) 363-3944 or (757) 489-3329

Email: dgreenwell.eoc@edufind.org “Education turns a dream into reality”

VTC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

350 Granby Street—Norfolk, Virginia 23510

(757)683-2312 or (757)683-2313 Fax: (757)683-2315 EOC is a TRIO program, a project of the Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education, and federally funded by the U. S. Department of Education

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 4

GGEETTTTIINNGG SSTTAARRTTEEDD

Eligibility Highlights

Must serve on Active Duty until the last

day of the course

Officers must serve 2 years beyond

course completion date of the final

course funded by TA/NCPACE.

(Obligation is concurrent with remaining

service obligations

Must have one year at first PDS

Must not have had any non-judicial

punishment within the last 6 months

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROCESS

1. Complete Online Tuition

Assistance (TA) workshop at:

www.navycollege.navy.mil

Click on Navy College Programs,

then Tuition Assistance, then Navy

TA Online Training for Active Duty

2. Print TA Certificate

3. Submit completed Certificate to

Navy College Office (either by fax:

757-492-5095 or in person)

4. Contact the Navy College Office

to schedule an appointment with an

education counselor (757)462-8279

to discuss an educational action plan.

If you have already spoken to a

college representative, a copy of your

official degree plan should be

submitted to the counselor during the

appointment.

NOTE: All members must have a current,

completed TA Certificate (must be updated

yearly) and degree plan on file before the

WEBTA system will allow an online TA

application to be generated!! Remember TA

is not retroactive. Students must have an

approved TA document prior to attending

class.

5. Go back to www.navycollege.navy.mil.

Click on “My Education” then “WEBTA”

and follow the steps verbatim.

GI Bill Update

Submitting a Transfer Request 1. Use your Common Access Card (CAC), DoD Self-Service Logon (DS Logon), or DFAS

Account (myPay) to sign in to the milConnect portal application: http://milconnect.dmdc.mil When the milConnect Home page displays, select Education → Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) from the menu bar

2. To transfer benefit months to a family member, do the following:

• Locate the name of the appropriate family member in the table.

• From the Months drop-down list, select the number of months (0 to 36) to transfer.

• Optionally, enter an End Date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Repeat this process for each family member.

3. Once transfer Months have been assigned to your family members, you must submit your transfer request for approval by doing the following:

• Select the “Post-9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33” radio button in the Select the educational program from which to transfer benefits section.

• Select all the boxes in the Transferability of Education Benefits Acknowledgements section to indicate that you have read and understand each statement.

• Click the Submit Request button. If the submission is successful, a Confirmation message displays. After you have submitted your transfer request, the Sponsor information section at the top of

the TEB page updates to show that the Status is now „Submitted’. The Status Date is blank and will remain blank until a Service Representative approves, rejects, or sets your request to a pending status.

4. Once your transfer request is approved, your request data is sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Each family member must first apply for a certificate of eligibility from the DVA before they can use their transferred benefits. Once the DVA receives the request data and VA Form 22-1990E, they will be able to process your family members‟ requests to use their benefits. The application for the certificate of eligibility (VA Form 22-1990E) can be found through the Department of Veterans Affairs‟ VONAPP Web Site (http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp). Or you can call the DVA for Education Benefits information at 1-888-GIBILL1

5. After receiving their certificates of eligibility from the DVA, your family members must provide the certificates to the school.

6. If your family members do not receive their certificates of eligibility from the DVA before they enroll in school, they should ask the veterans‟ certifying official at the school to submit to the DVA an enrollment certification for the academic term. Tuition funds will be sent direct from the DVA to the school. Children using months of transferred benefit will receive the monthly living stipend and the books and supplies stipend. A spouse using a transferred benefit will only receive the monthly living stipend. A spouse may also be eligible for the books and supplies stipend if he/she uses the benefit after you separate f rom active duty. Note: Spouses can use their benefit for 15 years after the member separates/retires; children can use their benefits until their 26th birthdays.

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 5

MMaayy 22001122 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 Education Fair NAS Oceana Bldg 531 1000-1400

2 SAT TESTING @ JEBLCFS 0730

3 Education Fair JEB Little Creek NOIC BLDG 1000-1400

4

7

8 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

9 ACT TESTING@

0730 JEBLCFS

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS BLDG

3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

11

14

15

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

Funding a College Education Workshop at JEBLCFS 1130, Bldg. 3016, Rm 236-7

16 SAT TESTING @ JEBLCFS

0730

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS BLDG

3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

17

18

21 22 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

23 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS BLDG 3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

25

23

28 Office Closed Memorial Day

29 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

30 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS BLDG 3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

31 Joint

Graduation Base Chapel 1800

CCoommppuutteerr--BBaasseedd CCLLEEPP// DDSSSSTT//EECCEE EExxaammss

College Level Examinations Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) are offered every Wednesday morning at 0900 and 1100 at JEBLCFS, Bldg. 3016, Room 227 and at NAS Oceana every Tuesday morning at 0900 and 1100 and every Wednesday evening at 1600-1900, Bldg. 531, Room 104.Your scores are available immediately! Exams are free for active duty service members. Other eligible examinees must pay a fee. To pre-register, or for more information call (757)464-6449 (JEBLCFS) or (757)428-8395 (NAS Oceana).

Command Briefings

The NCO can provide briefings at your command on a variety of topics.

Call the NCO three weeks in advance to make your request, (757)462-8279.

Types of Command Briefings Include:

NCPACE GMTs INDOCs USMAP SMART Other specialized briefs

The Navy College Office requests the sponsoring Command provide a PowerPoint projector and related equipment for presentations

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 6

JJJuuunnneee 222000111222

MONDAY Tuesday WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1

4

5

6 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS

BLDG 3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

ACT TESTING@JEBLCFS

@0730 –Call 757-462-8279 to schedule

7 NAVY COLLEGE INDOC @ NAS OCEANA 1300-1400 – CALL 757-433-3129 TO RESERVE A

SEAT

8

11

12 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

13 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS

BLDG 3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA

BLDG. 531, RM 104

SAT TESTING@JEBLCFS

@0730 –Call 757-462-8279 to schedule

14 FLAG DAY

15

18

19 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

20 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 JEBLCFS

BLDG 3016, RM 227

CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING

1600 – 1900 NAS OCEANA BLDG. 531, RM 104

Summer Begins

21

22

25

26 CLEP/DSST/ECE TESTING 0900 & 1100 NAS OCEANA BLDG 531, RM 104

27 28 29

To use your GI Bill, you must first apply using either of the following:

(1) Access GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov. Once on the site, click on “Apply for Benefits”; then, click on “Apply online (VONAPP-Veteran’s Online Application). This will take you to the application. Proceed as directed.

OR (2) A paper application called a Form 22-1990 maybe requested at the GI Bill website. You may mail the form to the regional office associated with your home address, or if you know what school you want to attend, you may mail the form to the VA Regional Processing Office for the region of the school‟s physical address.

Before applying, please read all the information available on the GI Bill Website about each program that you may be qualified to apply.

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 7

Please be advised that effective

July 1, 2012, the name of the

degree programs, Associate of

Science in Professional

Aeronautics and Bachelors of

Science in Professional

Aeronautics (ASPA/BSPA) will

be changed to the Associate of

Science in Aeronautics and

Bachelors of Science in

Aeronautics (ASA/BSA).

Rationale: The name

Professional Aeronautics does

not clearly define the broad

scope of the programs. In

addition, a newly named

Associate of Science in

Aeronautics and Bachelor of

Science in Aeronautics will

provide a logical and clearly

defined path to the program,

Master of Aeronautical Science.

For questions, or concerns,

please contact Ms. Carmen

Fitch, Associate Director,

Academic Support (Oceana

Teaching Site) at 757-437-8061

or, by email at oceana. teaching.site@erau.edu carmen.fitch@erau.edu

B.S. in Interdisciplinary

Studies (INT)

As a major, Interdisciplinary Studies is a program that allows students to create a

customized learning experience. After completing the General Educational Curriculum requirements, students take all eight (8) INT courses (5) for active duty, and then select two (2) concentration areas (similar to minors) from any discipline area of interest. This allows students to be active participants in their educational experience. Moreover, the INT degree program also has the

flexibility to accept the university's maximum of transfer credits to be applied towards students' designated concentration areas. NSU accepts up to 90 credits off of the SMART, CLEP/DANTES exams, and from other regionally accredited colleges.

We currently offer three curricula: the standard curriculum, an online

curriculum, and a curriculum for those in the military. All three lead to our Bachelor of Science degree and open doors of opportunity with the key of higher education.

An undergraduate degree program designed to prepare students for advancement or promotion. Students may also seek career/jobs in Federal, State, and city Governments, corporate America, or pursue graduate studies education. Courses are taught in classroom or web-enhanced format. INT Studies prepares students to engage in critical analysis and to interact in the global market-place.

Interdisciplinary Studies is a major that focuses on practical skills--critical thinking skills; conscious and effective language and communication capabilities; strong research, writing and discovery abilities; cognizance of

social theories and philosophical ideas that impact worldview(s); and cultural and social awareness and sensitivity, including globalization--that are vital to success in every career path in today's fast paced and constantly changing world.

This program is for you if:

♦ you are in the military

♦ you have varied interests and talents

♦ you are returning to college after a prolonged absence

♦ you want to sharpen your critical thinking, writing, research and language skills

♦ you need a flexible course delivery--online and/or evenings and weekends, as well as accelerated 8 week courses

For more information or to enroll, please contact Ms. Shameena Elston at 757-489-8516or by email at svelston@nsu.edu. Please visit the program website at: www.nsu.edu/vbec/militaryprograms

Navy College Office, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Page 8

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story – School Representatives

Saint Leo University

http://www.saintleo.edu/shrc Mon & Thu: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Tue & Wed: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

(757)464-6449/0242/5316 Navy College Office Room 217

Old Dominion University

http://www.odu.edu Mon & Wed: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fri (by appt) (757)363-3885

Navy College Office, Room 251

Tidewater Community College

http://www.tcc.edu Mon – Fri: 9:30a.m. – 3:30p.m.

Except 1st & 3rd Tue. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30p.m. (757)363-3939

Navy College Office, Room 252

Troy University

http://www.troy.edu Mon. - Thu. 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.

(757)460-2736 Navy College Office Room 254

Virginia Tidewater Consortium

http://www.EdUFind.org Tue & Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

(757)363-3944 (Call for Appt) Navy College Office, Room 250

JEB LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY EMAIL CONTACT INFO:

NCO.LITTLECREEK@NAVY.MIL

JEB Little Creek- Fort Story - Visiting School Representatives

Coastline Community College cccsouthside@cox.net

Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

ECPI University http://www.ecpi.edu

1st & 3rd Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

Thomas Edison State College http://tesc.edu

1st & 3rd Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

Excelsior College

https://www.excelsior.edu 1st & 3rd Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30p.m.

Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

University of Maryland

http://www.umuc.edu Every Thursday: 9:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. Call for appointment – 757-462-8279

American Military University

http://www.amu.apus.edu 1st & 3rd Monday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call for appointment – 757-462-8279

Empire State College

https://www.esc.edu 1st & 3rd Tues: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

Vincennes University

http://www.vinu.edu 4th Monday: 9:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

Call for appointment: (757)462-8279

NAS Oceana – School Representatives

Saint Leo University http://www.saintleo.edu/shrc

Mon & Thu: 9:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tue & Wed: 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (757)428-8395

ECPI University http://www.ecpi.edu

Mon – Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (757)491-5755

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University http://www.erau.edu

Mon-Thu: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

(757)-437-8061

Tidewater Community College

http://www.tcc.edu Mon –Thu: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

(757)491-4385

Southern Illinois University

http://www.siu.edu Mon – Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30p.m.

(757)422-4352

Troy University

http://www.troy.edu Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(757)425-2066

NAS Oceana - Visiting School Representatives

Excelsior College

https://www.excelsior.edu Tuesday & Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30p.m.

Call for appointment : (757)433-3129

University of Maryland

http://www.umuc.edu 1st & 3rd Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m.

Call for appointment: (757)433-3129

Thomas Edison State College

http://tesc.edu 1st & 3rd Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Call for appointment: ( 757)433-3129

Coastline Community College cccsouthside@cox.net

2nd & 4th Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)433-3129

Southern New Hampshire http://mil.snh.edu/navy.htm

2nd Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)433-3129

Old Dominion University http://www.odu.edu

Tues & Thur: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)491-5109

Empire State College www.esc.edu

1st & 3rd Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)433-3129

Command Career Counselors,

use this email to schedule ASVAB testing Tacia.l.Brown@navy.mil

Norfolk State University http://www.nsu.edu

4th Tues : 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call for appointment: (757)433-3129

DSST Study Guides

www.GetCollegeCredit.com/materials.htm

Seaman to Admiral –21 Program

http://www.sta-21.navy.mil/

CLEP Practice Tests

https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil

To submit information for a future newsletter, please send your newsworthy information to: Charlene.Cofield@navy.mil. All

articles should be in MS Word format. Pictures appreciated.

CALL

TODAY!