From the Back Cover
The most comprehensive guide available on Navy commissioning programs. All the information you need to plan an exciting career as a naval leader. Get the facts for yourself. Give yourself an edge on the competition.
* Thousands of dollars in college scholarships and financial assistance programs. * Easy to follow, step-by-step application procedures for over 30 different commissioning programs. * Combines all the pertinent details from 31 separate government manuals, instructions, notices, catalogs, and brochures into one convenient volume. * Complete listing of career fields, including job descriptions, number of officers working in each field, and a list of source programs for each field. * Instructions for civilians, sailors (active & reserve), and members of other branches of the military. * Historical data on selection opportunities. * Sample application forms, letters, and endorsements.
This book is ideal for students, counselors, military members, and military leaders. Thousands of people get selected for commissioning programs every year, but many thousands more apply without success. Oftentimes all that is needed is a little more know-how and a little better planning.
About the Author
Tom Barkwell is a 20-year Navy veteran and former Navy Counselor Chief Petty Officer (NCC). During his career, he served as the senior career counselor at three separate commands (two ships and one major shore station of over 1500 sailors) for a total of eight years.
As a command career counselor, one of Tom's primary responsibilities was to counsel enlisted members regarding officer commissioning programs. In addition to advising personnel on eligibility requirements and application procedures, he provided administrative processing support, coordinated Candidate Appraisal Interview Boards, and arranged for tests and physical examinations. He also served as an advisor to the Commanding Officer in the evaluation and endorsement of candidates for commissioning and drafted most of the Commanding Officer endorsement letters.
Prior to becoming a command career counselor, Tom completed a five year tour as an enlisted Navy recruiter. In addition to procuring enlistees and promoting the Navy to the civilian community, he was directly involved in the processing and selection of civilian applicants for the Naval Academy, NROTC scholarships, Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program, and Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Tom originally hails from Kansas City, MO. He enlisted in the Navy as a Signalman in 1977 at the age of 17, and subsequently served tours aboard Beachmaster Unit Two in Little Creek, VA, Naval Station Keflavik, Iceland, Navy Recruiting Station (Academy) Colorado Springs, CO, USS MCCLOY (FF 1038), USS OBANNON (DD 987), and Naval Security Group Activity, Ft. Meade, MD.
Tom currently works for a business training and education computer simulation company. His wife, Michelle, is an active duty Navy Chief Warrant Officer, and his son, Casey, works in the construction industry in Savannah, GA.
