What is tuition assistance?

Tuition assistance (TA) is the Navy's educational financial assistance program. It provides funding to eligible active duty service members for tuition costs towards off-duty [...]

I am an administrative clerk and work in an office. When I get out of the Service I plan to become a carpenter. Can I register for a carpenter apprenticeship now so I can get a better job when I get out?

Your apprenticeship trade must be related to your military occupational specialty because you must perform a set number of hours of on-the-job training (OJT) to complete the requirements for your trade. Since you work in an office you cannot perform OJT as a [...]

I have not decided what trade I want to go into. Can I register for more than one apprenticeship?

No. You may register for only one trade or occupation at a time. When you complete one trade you may register for another, if [...]

I have one year left on my enlistment and plan to get out of the Service. Can I start an apprenticeship and then finish it after I get out?

No. You must have enough time left on your enlistment to complete the program. You need approximately one year to complete each 2,000 hours of your [...]

I know there is a requirement for 144 hours of formal training for each 2,000 hours of apprenticeship but I have not had any formal training in my occupational specialty. Is there a way to get a waiver for the formal training or can I get some other kind of training?

The requirement for 144 hours of formal training cannot be waived because employers will not hire you without the training. When military schools are not available, you can use formal related civilian training such as vocational schools, college classes, trade schools, and correspondence courses. Contact the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program office before beginning any training [...]