By Kenneth A. Stewart

NPS students Lt. Andrew Stafford, right, and Lt. James Hough, left, are pictured at the Surface Navy Association's National Symposium, Jan. 16. Stafford and Hough manned an informational booth at the symposium where they introduced numerous midshipmen and junior officers to the many opportunities available at NPS.

"The most common questions we entertained were what majors and classes are available, and how to apply," said Stafford, who also serves as the president of the local SNA chapter. "I highly recommend sending students again, it's worth the exposure to would-be students."

NPS San Diego Distributed Programs Office Director retired Navy Capt. Craig Turley coordinated the effort, and manned the booth with Stafford and Hough throughout the symposium. He noted that many of those exposed to NPS programs were junior officers bussed in from the U.S. Naval Academy.

"Almost all [of them] stopped by the NPS booth to learn about their options for graduate education at NPS," said Turley. "These future SWOs will be picking their first ship assignment within the month … With the detailers next to us, we were able to provide career options, including NPS, for the [junior officers] to consider."

The Surface Navy Association (SNA) was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in Naval Surface Warfare.