VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — There's been a lot of talk in recent years about improving quality of life for sailors.
For the last half-century, the Navy has been doing exactly that, with something called the Voluntary Education Program.
Since 1974, the Navy has spent more than $1.9 billion on the program, enabling sailors in off-duty hours to earn professional credentials and college degrees, with approximately 15 percent of sailors — around 42,000 — participating at any time.
"We're celebrating 50 years of giving sailors an opportunity to advance their education, help their families, up their critical thinking skills. So, it's really a great opportunity to celebrate these sailors and their hard work. And it's really cool that we're able to fund their education and help their lives in any way we can. So, it really is a quality-of-life initiative," said Lieutenant Commander Mollie Grenlund, Voluntary Education Program Director.
On Tuesday at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, around 100 sailors earned their associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from seven different colleges and universities that participate in the program.
"It is an amazing opportunity. I tell my sailors all the time that if they have the opportunity to go for it, go for it. I was able to get my master's degree and the Navy was able to pay for it. So, it's an awesome opportunity for sailors to take advantage of," said Master-at-Arms First Class Talaine Moss.
Under the program, according to the Navy, sailors have enrolled in more than 10 million courses over the past five decades.