USS Harry S. Truman's (CVN 75) educational service office is offering face-to-face college classes during its upcoming deployment through the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE).

NCPACE provides Sailors a no-cost alternative to achieve educational goals while on sea-duty assignments.

"NCPACE is a great program that allows Sailors to take instructor-led college courses while in the military," said Ensign Roger Engelhardt, Truman's educational services officer.

NCPACE provides both instructor-led and distance learning courses.

"Instructor-led is geared toward those Sailors who need a classroom setting," added Engelhardt.

The NCPACE program is partnering with Central Texas College to offer instructor-led general electives such as English, math and history. NCPACE is also offering distance learning general electives and common core courses, providing an opportunity to achieve a both a bachelor's and master's degree through the distance program.

"Sailors [have shown] enough interest to have every single course offered in every term. We plan on having every course offered twice a day in the Distance Learning Center and Training Classroom 2," added Engelhardt.

Additionally, tuition assistance is available to help cover out-of-pocket costs such as textbooks and personal education materials.

Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Joseph McCarthy, an NCPACE coordinator, is one of Truman's NCPACE team who can help walk Sailors through the sign-up process.

"First I find Sailors interested in the program, and then I help them put together a package for their head of department (HOD) to look at," said McCarthy. "Lastly, I send messages to NCPACE in order to set the Sailors up for success. I'm basically a guidance counselor for the Sailors."

Along with helping Sailors during the application process, Truman's NCPACE team also handles all of the financial transactions with Central Texas College.

"Why wait until you get out to start school, if you can get free courses under your belt during your naval career?" added McCarthy.

Truman is currently at sea conducting its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX).

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman visit http://www.navy.mil/ and http://www.facebook.com/usstruman.

For more information on Voluntary Education (VOLED) Opportunities, visit http://www.navycollege.navy.mil.