Nimitz Sailor Earns Masters Degree Via Navy's Distance Learning

US Navy Press Releases

. Nimitz BM1 Earns Masters Degree Via Navy's Distance Learning

By Journalist 2nd Class Beth Johnson, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Harry Covington from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz's (CVN 68) Deck Department recently earned a Master's of Science degree in Psychology. A Master's degree is an accomplishment in and of itself, but Covington earned his completely through the Navy's education opportunities.

"I was never one to sit in an environment and listen to people read a book I had already bought and paid for," said Covington. "That's one of the reason's why the distance learning worked so well for me. I could get the book and study in my free time."

Distance learning is a program that allows Sailors to take correspondence courses paid for by the Navy.

Covington's journey to academic achievement started 11-and-a-half years ago at his first shore duty station.

"I had been in the Navy for five years then, and I didn't have any college at all," said Covington. "Then one day, I passed a group of chiefs and blue shirts (enlisted personnel) walking out of the building I worked in. I asked where they had been, and they said they were coming from one of the college courses that were offered."

Covington said that although he hadn't given much thought to college before, one of the senior chiefs in the group said something to him that made him start.

"He said that he wasn't going to be in the Navy forever, and that he needed to make sure he had something for when he left the military," said Covington. "That got me to thinking, and I decided the same thing. As much as I enjoy my job and being in the military, I needed to make sure I had something to enjoy after the military."

Covington enrolled in the distance learning programs offered through Pensacola Junior College, Troy State University and Chicago City College. The courses he took, combined with his Smart Transcript, allowed him to earn an Associates Degree (AA) in Criminal Justice. He then started looking at the next educational step.

"After I got my AA, I looked around and enrolled in the distance learning program again through a college in Texas and got my Bachelors degree in Criminal Science."

His next set of orders were to USS John F Kennedy (CV 67), and Covington thought that he was done with his education.

"I went to sea and said 'No more, I'm done,'" he said. "Then I started getting stagnant and decided to get my Master's degree. I went back to the distance learning program and earned my degree."

Many Sailors think that it's next to impossible to obtain anything more than a few classes with the Navy's education programs, but Covington is living proof that they're wrong. He said he likes to take his experiences with the programs and pass them along to his junior Sailors.

"I tell them that if they spent half their time off bettering themselves and learning, that when they get out of the Navy, they'll be able to be competitive with their contemporaries who went to college. They'll also have a diploma."

Covington went on to say that junior Sailors today have great opportunities to take advantage of the distance learning program.

"When I first started doing this, we had to mail everything back and forth. Now, it's all on computers and through e-mail. It's so much easier for Sailors to pursue now."

When asked what words of advice he had to give to Sailors who were obtaining their education through the Navy's programs, Covington said, "It's a long process, never ending actually, but it pays off. Just keep focused on your goals."

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf.

For related news, visit the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.