Last modified Wed., February 20, 2008 - 03:52 PM
Originally created Thursday, February 21, 2008

Agreement helps Sailors with more educational opportunities

MC2(AW/SW) Marcel Barbeau, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

Nikki Pierce (left), Florida Community College of Jacksonville's (FCCJ) environmental science degree program facilitator, Amy Lee (center), the oil and hazardous substance spill response training program manager at Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE), Cindy Alderson (right) director of military and federal instructional program management at FCCJ and CNRSE Chief of Staff Capt. Matthew Schellhorn (front center) meet to sign a memorandum of agreement between FCCJ and CNRSE to award earned college credit for training courses attended by Sailors and government employees. Photo by MC2 (AW/SW) Marcel Barbeau

In 2003, Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) and Florida Community College Jacksonville (FCCJ) signed an agreement that provided CNRSE Sailors with greater educational opportunities. After five years, an amendment was signed Feb. 15 and included even more opportunities for Sailors.

The original agreement gave Sailors the ability to receive earned college credit for completing environmental management courses offered by CNRSE Port Operations Oil and Hazardous Substance Spill Response Training Cell (OHS). CNRSE and FCCJ are now adding new classes into that agreement.

"Before we decided to do the training ourselves, we studied to see how much it would cost for FCCJ to give the class. We also went to local contractors to see how much it would cost," said Chris Christofferson, CNRSE's port operations director. "During the process, it dawned on us we're teaching the same courses they're teaching at FCCJ. Why don't we make it more of an incentive to take the course? So now, not only do Sailors get a certificate, but they also get college credit."

The courses train Sailors how to respond to hazardous waste spills and familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations mandated by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"We are adding the security boat training to it, as well as the four incident command system courses to the amendment," said Amy Lee, the oil and hazardous substance spill response training program manager at CNRSE. "We are developing the Navy's first harbor boat security training course. The course teaches basic boat coxswain skills and how to safely operate the harbor security boats. This not only earns Sailors college credits, but it also helps the Navy reduce maintenance costs, injuries and accidents."

According to Christofferson, the safety of the Sailors, as well as the protection of the environment, is paramount in what they do."This helps prevent toxicological exposure to different chemicals. That's the first and most important thing, the safety of our Sailors," said Christofferson.

The extra incentive is very important in securing the path of many Sailors' futures, in not only their career with the Navy, but their future after the Navy.

"Everyone needs a college education to help their advancement, so that's just another way the Navy is helping Sailors," added Lee. "I also believe it's important for us to help the Sailors when they transfer from the military to civilian life, preparing for a future career by earning a college degree."

"What a lot of the Sailors find after they spend four years in the Navy and want an environmental job . . . if they've finished these courses, instead of making $10 an hour, they could earn $30 an hour," said Christofferson.