Question about distance learning while in Navy...

willtm · Jan 12, 2005

My ex completed his accoc degree while active duty. The local community college was very good about working with those who were active duty, I believe this is the case in most military towns. They will give a final early if students are deploying and are generally more leanient regarding missed classes due to deployment. For the six month stretches, most colleges will accept clep tests (self study, then take one test to get credit for the course) for many of the required general education classes, such as english, sociology and such. He could study while out at sea, then test when he gets back. Clep has a web site that lists all the courses they offer and I believe they publish study guides for thier tests. There is also something called DANTES, I don't know much about it, but I think it is simmilar to clep and is actually geared towards military.

I expect that all radiology tech programs require clinical practise, and the courses build on each other, so it may be difficult to do that portion while still in the military. If he could make a lat move to that MOS that would be fantastic, then the military would send him to school at their expense. Otherwise, he can do the gen ed while active, then use the college assistance program the military offers after he has completed his active duty.

Also, many colleges give credit for military courses...example boot camp is credit for a college level fitness class. I suggest he visit the local community college, they should be able to guide him.

Hi !
As many of you know, my son is currently in the Navy.
He wants to start his education and persue his goal of getting a degree as Registered Rad Tech.
However, being in the Navy means he'll be deployed at times for six month stretches at sea. He wants to sign up for classes at the local college to start his education, but is wondering how will he be able to do this if and when he gets deployed. They can't do online courses aboard ship, but are there any "distance learning" options he could persue for those times he's out at sea? Would his instructors be able to give him assignments, etc. he could complete on ship and turn in when he returns, or are there any "distance" programs he could avail himself of during these times.. other than "online".
He doesn't want to just "waste" those 6 month periods here and there while he's on shipduty, but wants to be able to continue his education.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jan 15, 2005

My ex completed his accoc degree while active duty. The local community college was very good about working with those who were active duty, I believe this is the case in most military towns. They will give a final early if students are deploying and are generally more leanient regarding missed classes due to deployment. For the six month stretches, most colleges will accept clep tests (self study, then take one test to get credit for the course) for many of the required general education classes, such as english, sociology and such. He could study while out at sea, then test when he gets back. Clep has a web site that lists all the courses they offer and I believe they publish study guides for thier tests. There is also something called DANTES, I don't know much about it, but I think it is simmilar to clep and is actually geared towards military.
I expect that all radiology tech programs require clinical practise, and the courses build on each other, so it may be difficult to do that portion while still in the military. If he could make a lat move to that MOS that would be fantastic, then the military would send him to school at their expense. Otherwise, he can do the gen ed while active, then use the college assistance program the military offers after he has completed his active duty.
Also, many colleges give credit for military courses...example boot camp is credit for a college level fitness class. I suggest he visit the local community college, they should be able to guide him.

Wow... thank you !

You have been most helpful, and I sure appreciate the response! :)

He signed up yesterday at the Community College there at Va. Beach and got registered. He is doing precisely as you suggested.. starting on his pre reqs.

He can't enroll in the Radiology Program until May of next year anyway. So he'll start getting the pre reqs out of the way this year. I'll pass on this info to him.

He did want to strike for Hospital Corpsman as he felt it would give him trhe advantge of gaining some good clinical experience.. but has heard through the grapevine that since there's a war going on, 99% of the freshfaced new corpsmen are now required to go into FMT.. field medic.. and follow the marines, etc... in other words, they end up in Iraq. They don't tell you that when you go for Hospital Corpsman.. it's sprung on you after the fact. So he's not too keen on that idea now.. hasn't decided for sure yet.

We'll take it one day at a time.

Thanx again for your help !

willtm · Jan 15, 2005

You're welcome:)

Wow... thank you !
You have been most helpful, and I sure appreciate the response! :)
He signed up yesterday at the Community College there at Va. Beach and got registered. He is doing precisely as you suggested.. starting on his pre reqs.
He can't enroll in the Radiology Program until May of next year anyway. So he'll start getting the pre reqs out of the way this year. I'll pass on this info to him.
He did want to strike for Hospital Corpsman as he felt it would give him trhe advantge of gaining some good clinical experience.. but has heard through the grapevine that since there's a war going on, 99% of the freshfaced new corpsmen are now required to go into FMT.. field medic.. and follow the marines, etc... in other words, they end up in Iraq. They don't tell you that when you go for Hospital Corpsman.. it's sprung on you after the fact. So he's not too keen on that idea now.. hasn't decided for sure yet.
We'll take it one day at a time.
Thanx again for your help !