Subscribe
By Maj. Kevin Stephensen, Risk Management Directorate, Safety Division
One of the unique features of the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Degree Completion Program (SNCODCP) is it allows enlisted Marines to finish their degree by attending college full-time and fully funded on a college campus.
Following completion of the degree, graduates apply what they learned by serving in a billet in their field of study, giving them experience in their chosen field and filling low-density billets with Marine Corps experts. Blending education and practical experience helps prepare Marines for continued success in uniform and careers beyond the Corps.
Master Sgt. Steven Haas and Master Sgt. Xin Huynh shaped their professional and personal futures in different ways through the SNCODCP.
Discovering the Program Haas first learned about SNCODCP during a unit safety representative course when an instructor mentioned it in passing. “It stuck with me,” Haas said. Motivated by the chance to open new, post-retirement career paths, he decided to apply after researching MARADMINs and discussing the program with the instructor. “I wanted another avenue to open more doors,” he said. Huynh discovered the program through his own research. “As enlisted Marines, there are limited opportunities to dedicate ourselves fully to off-duty education while remaining on active duty,” he said. “If you go onto any job application website, almost every position requires years of experience in the field. That’s one of the advantages I saw with SNCODCP, getting practical experience in the degree I earned.”
Starting Your Education Haas and Huynh were accepted into the program after completing their degrees online. Haas earned his bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University (GCU). “Safety tied into my degree, and since I already had it, I didn’t need to spend up to 18 months in college,” he explained. Using his Joint Service Transcript, he transferred 56 credits from Marine Corps training, and finished the rest of his degree in nearly two years. Huynh chose Occupational Safety and Health at Columbia Southern University for its flexible, relevant curriculum. “My goal was to deepen my understanding of safety and health theory, workplace hazard analysis and OSHA standards,” he said. The program’s alignment with his tactical safety experience made it a natural fit for his career goals.
Navigating the Application Process Both Marines faced challenges navigating the application process and emphasized the importance of working with career planners.
Haas had some items in his package he felt would not qualify him for the program. After working with his career planner and making several calls to the program monitor for guidance, he adjusted his application. Applicants need at least 60 credits or an associate’s degree, along with transcripts and letters from their chosen school.
Huynh educated his command on the program. “I researched Marine Corps Order 1560.21E thoroughly to brief my leadership,” he said. “Finding a school and degree path meeting SNCODCP requirements and my personal interests took some time to explore. MCO 1560.21E is the best resource for understanding the process,” Huynh said.
Both Marines stressed applying early is important, even if you don’t meet every exact criterion in the MARADMIN. It helps clarify the process and starts opening doors.
Balancing Marine Duties and Academics Both Haas and Huynh balanced coursework with active-duty demands before entering SNCODCP. Timing in their career didn’t allow them to take full advantage of the 18-month-in-person college opportunity, but both Marines persevered.
Haas, a logistics chief in the amphibious community, dedicated one to two hours daily to his online studies at GCU.
“The core classes were seven weeks, undergraduates - eight weeks,” he said. “Having a set schedule helped, and my platoon commanders were really flexible with my schedule.” He described the workload as “manageable chunks” despite deployments.
Huynh, unable to attend school full-time due to operational commitments, completed his degree during off-duty hours. “It required strict time management and discipline,” he said. “I was surprised by how supportive my leaders were, and how understanding and flexible my professors were. When something would come up that disrupted my schoolwork, my professors understood, and we could have a conversation about the way forward.”
Serving in the Safety Billet After graduating, Marines fill a three-year billet in a safety role related to their degree.
Haas now serves as the operations chief and special training instructor at the Installation Safety Office, Marine Corps Installations West. He teaches safety courses, oversees compliance with OSHA standards and mentors Marines. “The best part is changing how people view safety,” he said. “We’re not here to ruin anyone’s day. We just want Marines to go home to their families at the end of the day.”
Huynh’s safety billet aligns closely with his degree. “It’s broadened my perspective on leadership and risk management,” he said.
Career Doors That Open Retired Master Sgt. Evan Labounty credits SNCODCP with reshaping his career path. After completing his degree, he served as the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, Safety Officer. “At Barstow, my narrow focus on tactical and range safety expanded into a full spectrum of occupational health and safety disciplines.” He pursued further safety certifications while on duty and after retirement.
He now works as the environmental health and safety manager for New Belgium Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina.
Labounty cites the exemplary safety culture at Barstow, the first Marine Corps command to achieve OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program Star status, as a major influence on his continued professional development.
“Today, whether refining chemical handling protocols in the lab or leading incident investigations on the production floor, I draw on the same principles of risk management and teamwork that defined my Barstow tour.”
Raising Awareness Because SNCODCP focuses on niche degrees, it often flies under the radar compared to more well-known Marine Corps programs. Increasing awareness ensures more Marines can take advantage of this powerful opportunity whether they still need to finish their degree on campus, or, like Haas and Huynh, already hold a degree and want to put it to use in a career-aligned billet.
If you’re interested in combining education, practical experience and career growth, SNCODCP offers a pathway to success during and after your time in the Marine Corps.
Applying to the Program? The application requires meeting prerequisites such as: · Already completed a minimum of 60 college credits or an associate’s degree · Transcripts from your school · Command letters of endorsement · Proof of acceptance to the university you want to attend full time
For more stories like this check out the Ground Warrior page at: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/1364/ground-warrior-magazine
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2026 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 555686 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marine Corps SNCO Degree Completion Program, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
