CDR Lou Ann Rector (left), in U.S. Public Health Service uniform, and CAPT Mary Fong-Rodriguez, in U.S. Coast Guard uniform, received master’s degrees from the Naval War College on 17 June 2005.

PHS Commissioned Corps Officers Graduate from the Naval War College

Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers, CAPT Mary Fong-Rodriguez, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard, and CDR Lou Ann Rector, serving with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), received Master of Arts degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program. Commencement exercises were held on 17 June 2005 in Newport, RI.

The Naval War College (Non Resident) Fleet Seminar Program is under the College of Distance Education and enrolls U.S. military officers, government civilian employees, and a limited number of foreign officers in a curriculum that parallels offerings in the College of Naval Command and Staff. The programs are conducted as graduate courses and students must perform at that level. Its availability as an ‘off campus’ program allows students to attend class after their regular work day without affecting or impacting their operational commitment. The program consists of three core courses including Policy and Strategy, National Security Decision Making, and Joint Military Operations, each lasting 8 months commencing in August and ending in April with classes held once weekly for 3 hours each week.

Beginning in the fall of 2001, the Master’s Degree Accreditation was extended to students enrolled in the Fleet Seminar Program. To receive a master’s degree, students are required to complete an additional 9 hours of elective courses approved by the college and the Graduate Degree Program Coordinator.

CAPT Fong-Rodriguez, stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters’ Quality and Performance Improvement Division as the Chief Pharmacist/Pharmacy Program Coordinator and Quality Improvement Coordinator, stated: “Being the first group in the Fleet Seminar Program to be afforded the possibility of obtaining my master’s, I went for it. For me, it was well worth it. Personally, it meant a lot of sacrifices, dedication, and understanding from my family to which I am truly grateful. I’m very happy that I was given the opportunity and would advise the same to anyone with the time, desire, personal initiative, and willingness.”

CDR Rector, Commissioned Corps Liaison for HRSA stationed in Rockville, MD, stated: “I really enjoyed the courses with the War College. I was in the Navy from 1985 through 1990, as a dental technician. It was wonderful to be back studying with the Navy. It took a great sacrifice to get the courses completed, but it was great to get the degree.”

For more information on the Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program, visit their Web site at http://cde.nwc.navy.mil .

 

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