BREMERTON, Wash. –
Kathy Miller, painter, Shop 71 Painters, knew she wanted more from her career at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Despite the effort she was putting in every day at her job, she knew there was more she could do to advance her career.
Three years ago, she made the choice to go back to school through Olympic College and PSNS & IMF’s Apprentice Program. After that, she found a way to continue her education with assistance from the command.
“A previous apprentice recommended it and I decided to look into going back to school,” she said. “I’m glad I did. The process was super easy, which I wasn’t anticipating. To be able to take advantage of the benefits here at the shipyard is huge for me. I’m now going to earn a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Technical Management. When I started, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to do more.”
Miller, like many PSNS & IMF employees, used Command University’s Tuition Assistance Program to begin taking classes toward a degree. TAP provides financial reimbursement assistance for PSNS & IMF employees to attend any approved Department of Education accredited college or university and take classes that support the shipyard’s mission.
In addition to allowing workforce members the freedom to take courses from any accredited school, the command has also fostered a relationship with Olympic College that allows employees to attend classes in person or online outside of work hours.
When Miller was ready to research pursuing her education through Command University, she connected with Bonnie Adams, with Faculty Lead/Organizational Leadership & Technical Management at Olympic College.
“She helped me choose classes, fill out all my forms and got me through the whole process,” said Miller. “The process was not hard. If anyone is worried about it being difficult to get in, I did not experience that at all. Everyone involved was helpful.”
Workers who take advantage of the TAP program can be reimbursed up to $5,000 dollars for tuition per fiscal year. While TAP covers tuition and fees, books and supply costs must be covered by the employee. In addition, students using TAP are required to achieve 3.0 grade point average or higher in their class.
“To get the maximum benefits, I do a majority of my schoolwork on-line,” said Miller. “I do attend class in person two days a week. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed learning the science behind what we do. It does require work, but I need to know the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ now.”
With the capped limited annual reimbursement and GPA requirement, one might assume that Miller would find those hurdles to be her biggest challenge in returning to school. For Miller, though, having younger classmates proved the most challenging.
“[I'd been] out of school longer than many of my classmates have been alive, but it takes all kinds,” she said. “I have faith that this program will help fast track me up the career ladder.”
Registration for TAP is currently open at Command University. Classes for the spring quarter at Olympic College begin April 7, 2025. To learn more, call (360) 689-8838 or email PSNSAcademicprograms@us.navy.mil.