Navy Testing the Telecommuting Waters

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Navy Testing the Telecommuting Waters
January 13, 2009
Military.com|by Bryan Mitchell

The bathtub is the closest Capt. James R. Oakes may get to the water today -- and that's just the way the veteran Sailor likes it.

Oakes manages Navy manpower, personnel, training and education from the comfort of his suburban Pittsburgh home, making him a pioneer in a program Navy officials hope will allow scores of Sailors to work far from their command, saving the service money and, hopefully, retaining talented personnel.

"Sometimes the best way to support your family is to be geographically separated," Oakes said during a Jan. 9 interview with Military.com. "But for me right now, this is the perfect opportunity to serve the Navy and remain close to my family."

If working from a home office sounds appealing to you, listen up. Oakes is soliciting applications from other officers who will serve as guinea pigs in what the Navy has dubbed the Virtual Command Pilot Program.

Essentially, the Navy is looking for six highly disciplined officers willing to telecommute to determine if the program can be expanded.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/navy-testing-the-telecommuting-waters.html