Confident Captain/Ocean Pros receives VA approval

(NEWPORT, R.I. – JULY 30, 2008) — Confident Captain/Ocean Pros(www.confidentcaptain.com), Rhode Island’s premier professional mariner training facility, today announced that they have been approved by  the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to provide training for eligible veterans and their dependents under the GI Bill.

Captain Kent Dresser, President and Founder of Confident Captain/Ocean Pros said, “Confident Captain/Ocean Pros provides world-class training for professional mariners. Many of these mariners have previous military experience so their ability to use the GI Bill to further their careers is a tremendous benefit to them.” Dresser continued,
“The US marine industry currently has a severe shortage of qualified and trained personnel and many military personnel are well suited to fill this shortage. We are very pleased that our current mission works harmoniously with the VA, and we are truly honored to be able to continue on our current path while recognizing our nation’s
veterans.”

Eligible veterans will now be able to apply their veterans’ benefits towards tuition for three of the facility’s professional-level courses, the USCG Master 100 Ton Captains License, OUPV/6-Pack Captains License, and Able Seaman certification. All courses are held at the Confident Captain/Ocean Pros classroom, located in downtown Newport, Rhode Island.

Hundreds of mariners pass through the doors of the Confident Captain/Ocean Pros classroom in downtown Newport each year, taking courses for their USCG Captains License, UK Yachtmaster certification, STCW-95 Basic Safety Training and Able Seaman certification.

By Professional Mariner Staff