The Navy is offering new graduate education opportunities for proven professionals, as part of the Fleet Scholars Education Program (FSEP) announced in NAVADMIN 254/15, Oct.29.

The program is geared for junior and mid-level unrestricted Line (URL) and Information Dominance Corps (IDC) officers. Selections will be made and forwarded by community sponsors by Dec. 16. Communities have the following allocations: Aviation, 7; Surface, 7; Submarine, 4; Special Warfare, 3; Expeditionary Combat, 3; IDC, 6.

FSEP selectees can choose any accredited graduate school in the continental U.S., Alaska or Hawaii, and attend for up to 24 months. Distance learning, medical and legal education programs aren't allowed. Those officers who've already received an advanced degree funded by the Navy are not eligible; this does not include those who earned a degree using their G.I. Bill, tuition assistance or Navy College Program for Afloat College Education.

"I think a lot of high-achieving officers have a common draw toward civilian education at schools like Harvard or Yale. So there comes a time when they have to decide if it's worth getting out to achieve that education that has always been a dream, or should they stay in and continue serving the Navy which is also a dream of theirs," said Lt. Cmdr. Joel Jacobs, a postgraduate student at Harvard University. "FSEP fills both voids. You can take your [time to complete your degree], achieve that education, and still come back and continue your naval service."

Officers who are selected for FSEP remain on active duty and will incur a three-year active duty service obligation following graduation or withdrawal from the program. If a member does not complete that service obligation, they will be have to reimburse the Navy the cost of their education received.

"Allowing people to pursue personal goals while staying in the Navy will increase retention and also maximize the quality of officers that the Navy is retaining," said Lt. Keith Hollis, a postgraduate student at Dartmouth College.

For more information read the NAVADMIN or visit the Naval Postgraduate School Civilian Institutions website at http://www.nps.edu/Academics/CIVINS/index.html.


For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/.