This is a great topic. Actually, I'm surprised that I haven't seen any questions of this sort before. I locked the previous topic because it was getting off the beaten path to the original question.
First, post-grad education for the Navy is becoming a huge topic of discussion. Specifically, the SWO leadership/community is really making it a priority for us to get our master's, preferably before our Department Head (DH) tour. It is extremely important that the Navy has well educated leaders and managers at a level above and beyond that found in the normal undergraduate curriculum. Post grad education will increase your level of and ability to think independently, refine your communication skills, and even time management skills. The end result to all this is that it makes you a better warfighter and decision maker.
I'd like to address a couple recurring questions and comments. First, you can do anything you set your mind to. Obtaining a post grad education during flight school is doable (especially with distance learning these days), but I certainly wouldn't advise it. Not because you won't have time. You will. Flight school isn't law school, and no matter what anyone wants you to beleive, your head is not stuck into the book or reciting flash cards 24/7. I'd say you will probably have enough down time throughout your training to take one class at a time. But in my opinion, your down time should be used for just that...down time. BBQ's, movies, going out to dinner, hanging out with friends at the cigar bar....whatever. If down time is not a priority for you, go for it...shoot for the stars. And this doesn't account for if your instructors DO find out about your "extracurricular" activities. I have to agree that if they found out, you'd become their "pet project." Second, there is a distinction between Navy funded eduation and personally funded education. This is completely independent of whether you participate in an education program during your off-duty time.
Take tuition assistance for example. Tuition assistance will now pay 100% of your tuition (up to a certain amount - details irrelevant at this point - link provided below for those interested). If you use tuition assistance just once for a course, you must "[a]gree, if an officer, to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of courses funded by TA. This obligation runs concurrently with remaining obligated service time. Those who fail to serve the obligation must repay the TA funds expended on their behalf during the last two years of active duty on a pro rated basis."
Other Navy funded post grad education programs have specific obligations associated with them. They typically run concurrent with your current obligation.
One exception to this is a program I'm actually participating in. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) offers through its distance learning program a post grad certificate in Information Systems and Operations. Courses for this are: Space Systems Technology and Applications; Information Operations; Database Fundamentals and Decision Support Systems; and Information System Networks. Because this is all paid for by my command (at a tune of about $6800), and not the "Navy", I incur no service obligation. During deployment, taking one class at time, standing watch every day, running a 120 person division, and taking care of collateral duties, this kept me plenty busy.
If you decide to participate in education funded by COMNAVHOMEPAC/LANT or even your GI Bill, then you incur zero obligation.
One thing you must understand and remember throughout your decision making process is...."If you commit to the Navy, the Navy will commit to you." Sounds crazy, but true.
These links below should provide plenty of information on post grad education or lead you to places where you'll be able to find what you're looking for.
http://www.bupers.navy.mil/pers41/412/shore/grad/main.htm
http://www.persnet.navy.mil/pers440/index.html
http://www.persnet.navy.mil/pers440/pers440b/pers440b.htm
https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ta1.html
http://navprodev.bupers.navy.mil/nss/
First, post-grad education for the Navy is becoming a huge topic of discussion. Specifically, the SWO leadership/community is really making it a priority for us to get our master's, preferably before our Department Head (DH) tour. It is extremely important that the Navy has well educated leaders and managers at a level above and beyond that found in the normal undergraduate curriculum. Post grad education will increase your level of and ability to think independently, refine your communication skills, and even time management skills. The end result to all this is that it makes you a better warfighter and decision maker.
I'd like to address a couple recurring questions and comments. First, you can do anything you set your mind to. Obtaining a post grad education during flight school is doable (especially with distance learning these days), but I certainly wouldn't advise it. Not because you won't have time. You will. Flight school isn't law school, and no matter what anyone wants you to beleive, your head is not stuck into the book or reciting flash cards 24/7. I'd say you will probably have enough down time throughout your training to take one class at a time. But in my opinion, your down time should be used for just that...down time. BBQ's, movies, going out to dinner, hanging out with friends at the cigar bar....whatever. If down time is not a priority for you, go for it...shoot for the stars. And this doesn't account for if your instructors DO find out about your "extracurricular" activities. I have to agree that if they found out, you'd become their "pet project." Second, there is a distinction between Navy funded eduation and personally funded education. This is completely independent of whether you participate in an education program during your off-duty time.
Take tuition assistance for example. Tuition assistance will now pay 100% of your tuition (up to a certain amount - details irrelevant at this point - link provided below for those interested). If you use tuition assistance just once for a course, you must "[a]gree, if an officer, to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of courses funded by TA. This obligation runs concurrently with remaining obligated service time. Those who fail to serve the obligation must repay the TA funds expended on their behalf during the last two years of active duty on a pro rated basis."
Other Navy funded post grad education programs have specific obligations associated with them. They typically run concurrent with your current obligation.
One exception to this is a program I'm actually participating in. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) offers through its distance learning program a post grad certificate in Information Systems and Operations. Courses for this are: Space Systems Technology and Applications; Information Operations; Database Fundamentals and Decision Support Systems; and Information System Networks. Because this is all paid for by my command (at a tune of about $6800), and not the "Navy", I incur no service obligation. During deployment, taking one class at time, standing watch every day, running a 120 person division, and taking care of collateral duties, this kept me plenty busy.
If you decide to participate in education funded by COMNAVHOMEPAC/LANT or even your GI Bill, then you incur zero obligation.
One thing you must understand and remember throughout your decision making process is...."If you commit to the Navy, the Navy will commit to you." Sounds crazy, but true.
These links below should provide plenty of information on post grad education or lead you to places where you'll be able to find what you're looking for.
http://www.bupers.navy.mil/pers41/412/shore/grad/main.htm
http://www.persnet.navy.mil/pers440/index.html
http://www.persnet.navy.mil/pers440/pers440b/pers440b.htm
https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ta1.html
http://navprodev.bupers.navy.mil/nss/
