OCTOBER 3, 2016, PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) – The Navy’s Voluntary Education and Navy College Program will undergo a transformation as outlined in NAVADMIN 219/16 beginning Oct. 1, as they begin increasing self service options and providing additional online support for Sailors.
As of Oct 1, Sailors are required to only use the Navy’s VOLED services. Here are the eight things you need to know to continue to receiving the support for all your education needs.
1. 16 Navy College Offices (NCO) in the continental United States will transition to a new construct and close. The Navy will keep four NCOs open for an additional year in the fleet concentration areas of Norfolk, San Diego, Jacksonville, Florida, and Kitsap, Washington. They will be open until Sept. 30, 2017.
2. The following NCOs will close: Bethesda, Maryland; New London, Connecticut; Little Creek, Virginia; Pensacola; Charleston, South Carolina; Gulfport, Mississippi; Kings Bay, Georgia; Ventura County, California; Coronado, California; Lemoore, California; Fallon, Nevada; Whidbey Island, Washington; Everett, Washington; Great Lakes; Millington, Tennessee; Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. There will be no effect on the 11 overseas NCOs in Atsugi, Japan; Guam; Misawa, Japan; Sasebo, Japan; Yokosuka, Japan; Bahrain; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Sicily; Naples, Italy; and Pearl Harbor.
4. The Virtual Education Center (VEC) will continue to provide education counseling and information. The hours have been expanded to 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST. Sailors can utilize the VEC by phone (877) 838-1659 or DSN 492-4684), text messaging and web-chat at www.navycollege.navy.mil.
5. The College Level Exam Program (CLEP) and DSST exams will continue to be offered onboard installations. For information, funding and reimbursement options Sailors should contact Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services (DANTES) at www.dantes.dod.mil/examinations.
6. Foreign language testing Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) and Defense Language Proficiency (DLPT) will continue to be offered at Norfolk, San Diego, and Jacksonville, Florida NCOs through the end of FY7. Sailors may request foreign language testing with other services as necessary.
7. Tuition Assistance (TA) will continue to be fully funded. TA request will need to be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the term start date.
Additionally, all Sailors receiving TA or Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) for the first time need to complete the following:
a. DOD Higher Education Preparation Training Course (jko.jten.mil)
b. WebTa Training or NCPACE crew brief training (navycollege.navy.mil)
c. Submit the above training completion certificates to navycollege@livehelpnow.net
d. Receive education counseling from a NCO or VEC certified counselor.
8. Navy region advisors have been established at Navy Regions Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest to support and advise installation commanding officers, and facilitate access for academic institutions to operate on base.