COMPASS
The COMPASS Experience
If you were about to go on an extended journey to a foreign country, you would want to do research and learn as much as you could to make your trip enjoyable and successful. You might need a passport, guidebook, and map to start off in the right direction.
Now, think about a spouse embarking on his or her journey as a Navy spouse for the first time. To this spouse, the Navy seems like a foreign land with its own language, customs, traditions, health care system, inherent moves, and deployments.
What is COMPASS?
COMPASS is a standardized Team-Mentoring program developed by spouses for spouses. COMPASS focuses on spouses new to the Navy; however, all spouses are welcome. COMPASS improves the quality of life through education, enabling spouses to understand, experience, and meet the Navy lifestyle’s challenges. With this knowledge and realistic expectations, their journeys can be successful and rewarding.
What to Expect
The COMPASS program is taught over a three day period and participants may attend an in person session or a virtual session. In person sessions are 12-hours; three four-hour sessions. Virtual sessions are 9-hours; three three-hour sessions. With Mentors acting as discussion leaders, participants are encouraged to ask any questions they may have in a non-judgmental atmosphere. There is one Mentor Team at each location. Session teams come from the main Mentor Team and present the scheduled COMPASS sessions. Typically, Session Teams consist of four Mentors.
Participants are introduced to many aspects of the Navy. The standardized curriculum includes need-to-know topics such as the Navy mission, history, organization, customs and traditions, rights and benefits, deployment, pay, moving, interpersonal communication, and investing in self and community. Another important benefit of COMPASS is the opportunity for spouses to establish a peer network. Because experienced spouses pass on their Navy lifestyle insights, the concept of “helping others to help themselves” is clearly observable and becomes an ongoing action-oriented process.
Course materials are provided free-of-charge, thanks to the generosity of FamilyLine supporters and donors.
Setting Sail: An Intro to COMPASS
“Setting Sail” is a 3.5-hour introduction to the full COMPASS Program, which is normally presented in 12 hours over 3 days. Participants will receive a handbook of resources, information on the COMPASS program (including worldwide locations), and contact information for Mentors. We hope you will join us!
Setting Sail registrants must be Fiancés of Naval Academy/ROTC Midshipmen or spouses of active duty military members.
COMPASS Locations
We are looking for volunteers for various positions including Team Leader, Mentors, and Administrative Helpers. If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader or Mentor, you must be a Navy Spouse who has been married for at least 3 years, attend the Basic COMPASS Course and Mentor Training Course. If you are interested in joining one of our teams, see below for contact information. If you don’t see a location near you and have questions, feel free to contact us.
COMPASS Location | Volunteer Opportunities | Team Page | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
Charleston, SC | Mentors | compasscharleston@nsfamilyline.org | |
Greater Jacksonville (King’s Bay, Mayport, Jacksonville) | Mentors | compassgreaterjax@nsfamilyline.org | |
Groton, CT | Mentors | compassgroton@nsfamilyline.org | |
Guam | Team Lead & Mentors | compassguam@nsfamilyline.org | |
Pacific Northwest (Everett and Kitsap, Washington) | Mentors | compasspnw@nsfamilyline.org | |
Lemoore, CA | Mentors | compasslemoore@nsfamilyline.org | |
Misawa, Japan | Team Lead & Mentors | compassmisawa@nsfamilyline.org | |
Naval District Washington (MD, NOVA, DC) | Team Lead & Mentors | compassndw@nsfamilyline.org | |
Norfolk, VA (Hampton Roads Area) | Mentors | compassnorfolk@nsfamilyline.org | |
Pearl Harbor, HI | Mentors | compasspearlharbor@nsfamilyline.org | |
Rota, Spain | Team Lead & Mentors | compassrota@nsfamilyline.org | |
San Diego, CA | Mentors | compasssandiego@nsfamilyline.org | |
Whidbey Island, WA | Mentors | compasswhidbey@nsfamilyline.org | |
Yokosuka, Japan | Team Lead & Mentors | compassyokosuka@nsfamilyline.org |
Register for COMPASS
Starting in September 2022, in person sessions will be provided dependent on a COMPASS team’s availability. You can register for any virtual session that fits your schedule if you are unable to attend an in person session.
Virtual participants
Session materials may require pick-up at a location near you. Materials are mailed if pick-up/drop-off is not available.
In person participants
Session materials will be given out during session.
Please note:
- COMPASS registrants must be spouses of active duty military members.
- Setting Sail registrants must be fiancés of Naval Academy Midshipmen/ROTC or spouses of active-duty military members.
- Registration for virtual sessions will close one week before the session date or when capacity is reached.
- Dates subject to change.
Location | Date | Time | |
---|---|---|---|
COMPASS Charleston | May 14 – 16, 2024 Registration Closed | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM ET | |
COMPASS Greater Jacksonville | June 4 – 6, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET | Register |
COMPASS Norfolk | June 4 – 6, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET | Register |
COMPASS San Diego | June 11 – 13, 2024 Hybrid Session | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT | Register |
COMPASS Lemoore | August 20 – 22, 2024 In Person Session | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT | Register |
COMPASS Global – East Coast Session | August 20 – 22, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET | Register |
COMPASS Global – European Session | September 17 – 19, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM CET | Register |
COMPASS Global – Pacific Session | October 15 – 17, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM HST | Register |
COMPASS Lemoore | November 12 – 14, 2024 Virtual Session | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PT | Register |