One of the pioneers of Navy Voluntary Education recently visited the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) onboard Naval Air Station Oceana’s Dam Neck Annex.

Sandra Barnes, one of the original staff members for the standup of the Navy Campus for Achievement, the Navy’s new Voluntary Education (VOLED) program in 1973, visited the NCVEC to share some vintage sea stories and see how the current program has leveraged virtual services.

“When Adm. Elmo Zumwalt created the Navy Campus program, I was approached and agreed to be the representative for the Norfolk area,” said Barnes.  “Twenty-five years later, I retired as the Navy Campus Central Eastern Area Coordinator, and can proudly say my staff and I helped thousands of Sailors with their educational goals.  The program has grown considerably, and after my NCVEC tour I can say I am very impressed.”

Sharen Richardson, current Director of Education Programs for Navy VOLED, was hired by Barnes during the Navy Campus days and says that one thing that hasn’t changed over the years is their staff’s dedication to giving the best service possible.

“Sailors’ core needs haven’t changed from the beginning; they still need counseling, direction, and funding to pursue their education,” said Richardson.  “What has changed is the technology that supports our delivery – we’ve changed from primarily face-to-face and switched to multiple options including virtual service -- we’re in a position to reach more Sailors around the world and help them reach their goals.”

Barnes added that although not available during her tenure, VOLED's leveraging of technology is perfectly adapted to today’s service member.

“Today’s Sailors are technology-oriented and can take advantage of the virtual services of the NCVEC,” said Barnes.  “The current Navy approach to VOLED is well-suited to the needs of our Sailors now and in the future.”

The Director of Navy VOLED, Ernest D’Antonio, said that the Navy Campus pioneers have been crucial to the success of the current Navy College Program.

“The initial days of Navy Campus were a bit like the Wild West; the initial cadre had to define the role for VOLED as they became an integral part of Sailors reaching their educational goals,” said D’Antonio.  “Sandra has been an outstanding mentor and example for many of the staff members that are still with us today, and we’ve built on her success to meet the needs of today and the future.”

More information on VOLED can be found by visiting the Navy College Program website: http://www.navycollege.navy.mil/index.htm including how to start the education process, complete required training, submit a Help Request through the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC), initiate a Live Chat session, or review knowledge management articles.  The NCVEC can be reached toll free by calling 877-838-1659; DSN 492-4684, Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. EST.

Get the latest information by following Navy Voluntary Education on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NavyVoluntaryEducation/. 

An additional program -- Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Navy COOL), provides information about licenses and certifications applicable to all Navy occupations, offering resources and funding to help Sailors gain appropriate civilian desired, and in many cases required, credentials.

For more information about Navy COOL, visit http://www.cool.navy.mil/ or call 850-452-6683.

Additional information about the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center can be found via http://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/netpdc/Default.htm .

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