He was a man, raised in poverty, who worked hard to support his large family. He constantly preached the importance of finishing high school and going to college. His pride when I, the oldest of 12 grandchildren, graduated high school was indescribable. It was a moment I never will forget. When I walked across the stage in my cap and gown and took hold of my diploma, he was living vicariously through me. As a Spanish speaker and a manual laborer, he hit a glass ceiling but always believed hard work would be fruitful, especially in the United States, where people come to achieve the American Dream.
Each time my grandpa gave the speech to me about education, he had two professions he seemed to prefer for my future: doctor or lawyer. But I chose a different path. After earning an associate’s degree, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As important as education always has been to me, I place equal importance on serving my country.
I have not forgotten his words, however; I am both a sailor and a student. I received a second associate’s degree from the Defense Language Institute and currently am progressing toward my bachelor’s. Regardless of the demands of my day-to-day Navy life, I work to balance my service and my education, because receiving my degree will help make me a better sailor, leader, and citizen.
Many individuals join the Navy for the higher education incentives, with the intention of earning their degrees while serving their country. Once they put on the uniform and become active-duty service members, however, educational aspirations often are left behind. Some leaders do not encourage sailors to pursue their education or instruct sailors on the importance of higher learning. This is a missed opportunity. Classroom learning not only strengthens sailors’ education, but it also strengthens their time management skills, leadership abilities, and self-respect—all of which contribute to the honor, courage, and commitment ethos the Navy holds dearly.
How can the Navy better support sailors’ education?
• Improve training. Many sailors want to go to school but have no idea where to begin. Currently, all personnel have mandatory general military trainings (drug and alcohol awareness, suicide prevention, domestic violence, hazing, etc.), almost all of which are designed to tell sailors what not to do. Perhaps if we also told sailors what they can or should do, the goal of having military members who live healthy lifestyles and make good choices would be more achievable. If more sailors were enrolled in classes, more off time would be dedicated to homework and labs, which builds character and could reduce the number of off-time incidents.
• Remove the tuition assistance cap for distinguished sailors. Excellence has no boundaries. The Navy should not limit the amount of tuition assistance it offers a driven and dedicated sailor. I know sailors who are attending online education courses, taking three classes at a time, and have exhausted their tuition assistance in as little as four months while simultaneously achieving qualifications, surpassing physical fitness standards, and holding collateral duties. These sailors should be rewarded for their hard work and given the opportunity to have the tuition assistance cap waived. Expanding educational funds should be seen as an investment in sailors the Navy wishes to retain.
• Develop a culture of education. The public and the media often see the military through the lens of sailors’ mistakes and shortcomings. The Navy can change the dialogue if it creates a culture of education with a stronger presence in the classroom. Civilians will notice that sailors dedicate their lives not only to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, but also to the pursuit of education and self-improvement.
Although my grandfather is no longer here for daily encouragement, I know that my role as a sailor in the U.S. Navy and my continued studies toward a bachelor’s degree both would make him proud. His speeches have carried into my adulthood, and they are words of wisdom that I spread to those around me. Our culture is a melting pot, and an investment in one is an investment in all. A commitment to an educated fleet is a commitment to excellence at home and around the world.
Petty Officer Orozco enlisted in Navy in March 2014. She has served in support of Tenth Fleet, providing services to multiple intelligence organizations. She currently is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.