Navy Professional Reading Program Debuts

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen will introduce a new Navy Professional Reading Program (NPRP) Oct. 2, replacing CNO and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy reading lists of the past.

“Meeting [the Navy’s current] challenges demands of us all a broad understanding of our profession and an informed awareness of the world around us,” said Mullen. “Reading is key to this expanded awareness and understanding.”

The NPRP is an important component of CNO’s priority to “Develop 21st Century Leaders.” Its slogan, “Accelerate Your Mind,” challenges Sailors to take an active role in their own professional development.

"Put simply," noted the CNO, “reading fosters critical thinking, and critical thinking makes us better leaders and better warfighters.”

The program includes five 12-book collections with subjects focused on leadership, military heritage, joint warfare, cultural awareness, critical thinking and management. The collections are geared toward varying experience levels, from the most junior recruit to the most senior admiral; however Sailors are encouraged to read anything that interests them from the program list.

To make the books readily accessible, the Navy is providing collections to every operational unit in the Navy. Book sets will also be available in base libraries and liberty centers, and audio versions of some books will be available for free download on the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) Web site.

The books on the list have been carefully chosen by a panel of Navy leaders and scholars. They include award-winning histories, biographies, novels, business bestsellers and more. In short, urge panel members, there is something on the list for everyone.

The program is interactive. Sailors will be able to contribute their opinions and suggestions by visiting the program’s Web site, www.navyreading.navy.mil, which will be active Oct. 2.

“Just as we need Sailors physically fit for the new challenges we face; so, too, do we need them mentally fit,” said Mullen. “Books are a great way to exercise your mind.”

Books from the new Navy Professional Reading Program are available for purchase at Navy Exchange (NEX) bookstores worldwide, through the Uniform Support Center toll-free numbers, and through the NEX Uniform Web Store at www.navy-nex.com. The books will sell for 35–40 percent below list price and are available by title or in five 12-book collections.

To view the entire list with descriptions, visit the reading program Web site (available Oct. 2) and watch for October’s All Hands magazine, which will come bundled with a NPRP Program Guide and poster. See the related story for a list of categories and titles.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.