Navy Professional Reading Program: Results of the 2007 Survey

Abstract

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.In 2007, the Navy instituted the Navy Professional Reading Program (NPRP), designed to empower Sailors to grow professionally by improving critical thinking and stimulating discussion through professional reading. The program includes 60 books across 6 subject areas and 5 career states. Toward the end of the first year of implementation, a survey was conducted to look at reading habits of Navy personnel as well as opinions of the NPRP. Results show that the majority consider themselves "casual" or "avid" readers, with about half reading books for pleasure on either a daily or weekly basis. The most common topic of the last book read as well as the most likely book to read was history. The majority agree that a reading list or program is good for the Navy and will make the Navy of tomorrow better than the Navy of today, but awareness of the program is low especially for those in the lower career stages. At least one-third (up to 82% of senior leaders) of those who know about the program have read NPRP books, and at least one-third have had informal discussions with coworkers about the books. Based upon the results, a key recommendation is to increase the visibility of the program as well as the interactivity.Reading, Navy Professional Reading Program, attitudes to reading, reading habits UNCLASS UNCLASS UNCLASS UNCLASS 99Genni Arledge 901-874-2115 (882) v ForewordThe Chief of Naval Operations has stated that "just a little time spent reading each week will pay big dividends in [a Sailor's] personal and professional growth.…" (Navy Professional Reading Program Guide, pg. 1). To that end, the Navy Professional Reading Program was created to improve critical thinking, foster appreciation, and stimulate discussion about the role of the Sailor and the Navy. Early in the process, the Naval War College, as executive agent of the program, requested baseline survey data to determine perceptions of the program. Additional questions were added to assess general reading habits of Sailors. Results of the first-of-its-kind Navy Professional Reading Survey are presented here, with recommendations of how to improve the program in future years.The authors would like to thank the many Navy Sailors who took the time out of their day to respond to the survey; this annotated brief would not be possible without their input. Additionally, the authors gratefully acknowledge Michael Barker, John Jackson, and the Naval War College for their outstanding support and sponsorship of this project. ..................................................................................... Reading Habits......................................................................... Navy Professional Reading Program Survey ResultsReading lists have long existed in the Navy and the other military services. In FY07, at the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy adopted a formal Professional Reading Program, with funds allocated to purchase and distribute sets of books to units. This annotat...