Representatives from more than two dozen colleges and universities held an education fair in the hangar bay of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69) (Ike), Jan. 19.

Sponsored by the Norfolk Navy College Office (NCO), the event, which was open to the entire waterfront, provided Sailors with a chance to investigate available opportunities to advance both their careers and their educational interests.

Ensign Gerardo Arbulu, the ship's educational services officer, said the fair gave Ike Sailors information about not only the many different schools available to them, but also the best way to finance their education with little or no money spent.

"Sailors can definitely benefit from college education," said Arbulu, who coordinated with the Norfolk NCO to organize the event. "Receiving a free education can help Sailors that want to eventually become officers and can also help those who just want to do better during their boards."

Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Henry Zeldich, currently working toward earning a degree from Penn State University, said the fair was an opportunity for Sailors to learn how to reach their educational goals.

"This fair is a great starting point for getting your education on track, and the resources are all right here," Zeldich said. "I think a lot of Sailors will benefit."

With an upcoming deployment scheduled to begin later this year, Ike Sailors will also have the opportunity to take classes while underway. The Navy College Afloat Program (NCPACE) and Tuition Assistance (TA) afford Sailors access to college classrooms while they serve at sea.

"We're preparing for deployment, so we're pushing for Sailors to sign up for NCPACE," Arbulu said. "The instructors who come aboard will offer a lot of courses in math and English."

The NCO hopes to sponsor three eight-week terms over the course of the ship's deployment. For the first term, Sailors may take one class; for the following terms, Sailors will be permitted to take up to two classes at a time. Crew members can therefore take a maximum of five classes during the deployment.

"I feel that if the Navy is going to offer these opportunities for us, then we should take advantage of them," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Victoria Ybarra. "Taking college courses now will help me prepare for my future as a civilian if I get out or give me an edge to advancing in my rate if I decide to stay in."

Bill Rodgers, an NCO representative, said he believes the Navy needs Sailors to be as educated and prepared as they can be.

"An educated Sailor is an improved Sailor," he said.

Other programs represented at the fair included Troops to Teachers, a program that helps military personnel obtain teaching certificates and places them in classrooms around the country, and the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program, a training program that allows military members to complete civilian apprenticeship requirements while serving on active duty. NCO also provided information about the GI Bill and the Navy's Tuition Assistance program.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently pierside preparing for workups in support of an upcoming scheduled deployment.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.