As I prepare to report as the Seventh Fleet Fuels Officer in Yokosuka, Japan, the responsibility of ensuring our warfighters have fuel across vast, contested waters is intimidating. But fuels officers, also known as “fuelies,” are never alone – knowing we have the full support of the Navy Petroleum Office (NPO), DLA Energy, and most importantly, the tight-knit network of fuelies around the world. Attending the University of Kansas through the Navy’s CIVINS program (formerly known as the 810/811 program) fundamentally changed how I think about logistics, the battlespace, and the importance of petroleum.

Ships can’t get underway and aircraft can’t fly without fuel. Fuel logistics is both a critical vulnerability and one of our greatest opportunities to win wars. That’s why our Navy needs more fuelies. And that’s why more junior officers (JOs) should consider the CIVINS program. At KU, you don’t just learn how to manage fuel; you learn how to think strategically, lead, and use sustainment as a weapon to ensure endurance and operational reach across the globe.

The Deal of a Lifetime

Established under NAVSUPINST 1520.8, the CIVINS program is part of the Navy's Civilian Institution (CIVINS) initiative, which allows selected Supply Corps officers to attend top-tier civilian institutions. Applications are typically due by mid-April each year—so if you’re even thinking about it, start early and reach out.

One of the biggest surprises was how much this program gave back to my family: time. Unlike most tours, this program allowed me to fully focus on learning and living. I was able to drop off my kids and pick them up from school every day. I attended every soccer and basketball practice, never missed a school recital, and volunteered as a chaperone for school field trips. That kind of family presence is rare in uniform and nearly impossible during most operational tours.

Living in Lawrence is truly a hidden gem. Gas is cheap, traffic is light, and 10-minute commutes are common. There are lots of events around town and you truly feel like a part of the community that values military members. It’s a town where you spend more time with family and friends and pursue your passions. Lawrence has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

But you’re not alone as a service member in the classroom. With four other supply officers in your cohort, you’re part of a pack. As supply officers with several tours under our belts, we know what it takes to lead teams, plan, and execute. Professors often split us up in group projects in order to maximize the group talent due to the vast life experiences we bring to the class. Do not underestimate what you bring to the table.

Did I mention that KU also has an exceptionally good basketball program? From Allen Fieldhouse to Mass Street, you feel like you’re a part of something bigger. Faculty knew us, supported us, and relied on us to lead classroom discussions. With a smaller cohort, professors were always accessible in and out of the classroom. And they knew the immense responsibility that was waiting for us in the Fleet after graduation.

Our summer between the first and second year consisted of taking a fluid dynamics class and a trip to Houston, Texas, where we visited Exxon and DLA Americas and various fuel operations and refineries. We also took a trip to Panama during winter break to explore the Panama Canal and numerous global enterprises that use Panama’s strategic location as a hub for goods and services around the world. The experience reinforced how interconnected our world is—and just how critical our mission is as Supply Corps officers.

Outside of academics, prospective fuelies are offered outstanding opportunities to follow their passion. One notable distinguished fuelie is Admiral Heinrich, the 46th Chief of the Supply Corps. He was a part of the KU swim team during his time in Lawrence! He mentioned that one of his classmates was an assistant baseball coach while earning his degree. Dee Steinle, the MBA Director at KU, is also one of our strongest advocates. In 2014, she was formally recognized as an honorary Supply Corps officer for her continuing support and appreciation of our leadership and operational experience.

Some students also choose to complete Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I during their time at KU, either online through Air University or the Naval Postgraduate School.

KU gives you the time and space to pursue your passion—and reconnect with what matters most.

Supply officers shouldn’t hesitate to become fuelies. We are mission enablers and we promote well. Fuel officers consistently advance to senior leadership because our impact is strategic, measurable, and respected across all branches.

How KU Builds Better Fuelies

The KU program is academically intense but strategically aligned. On top of normal MBA classes, we had to take an additional 15-unit credit of graduate level engineering courses. Courses like corrosion management required countless hours of calculations. I spent long days studying outside my professors’ offices—and they were always available, always invested in our success. But it was worth it because we knew it matters – a lot.

The MBA program gave us business frameworks and analysis tools, while the engineering side gave us technical understanding and appreciation for fuel infrastructure management, facility upkeep, and environmental stewardship. But more than that, KU gave me real-world reps. I helped develop a powdered human milk manufacturing plan—modeling yields, costs, and FDA compliance. I built a go-to-market strategy for a low glycemic rice cultivar, analyzed intellectual property protections, and created a federal funding proposal for a state-of-the-art dental bioceramic product. I also worked on customer conversion strategies for a swim school and competed in an MBA case competition. These weren’t simulations; they were complex, high-stakes business problems requiring data analysis, stakeholder alignment, and operational foresight. Every project sharpened the mindset we need in fuels planning: anticipate constraints, innovate solutions, execute with precision.

KU’s strong partnership with the Supply corps has produced over 200 fuelies since 1970. Although we are not trained to become petroleum engineers, we benefit from attending one of the top petroleum engineering schools in the country.

Why Fuelies Matter

There are 14 different types of fuel on the battlefield, and fuelies directly enable our joint warfighters to accomplish the mission. We operate and oversee dozens of Defense Fuel Support Points (DFSPs) that keep entire strike groups, air wings, and joint task forces fueled and mission ready. In every major exercise, crisis, or contingency, fuel officers and planners are right there—alongside every numbered Fleet, quietly keeping the fuel supply chain humming. We don’t just move fuel—we maintain infrastructure and protect the environment to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable operations.

No other military branch invests in fuel officers like the Navy does. Other services don’t send their officers to earn petroleum management certificates. KU’s dual-degree program reflects how seriously we take fuel. We didn’t just study corrosion or infrastructure vulnerabilities—we learned to think of fuel as a strategic risk, a force enabler, and a global commodity. Group projects on global supply chains, business case competitions, and our international business trip to Panama pushed us to analyze how fuel flows through chokepoints, impacts economies, and enables military operations.

We look beyond daily fuel reports and into the operational horizon: How many barrels does this carrier group need by Day 7? What happens if replenishment is delayed or normal sources fail? How do we shift supply, protect fuel quality, surge capacity, and safeguard the environment—while preserving operational initiative? This kind of operational, anticipatory, joint-thinking mindset defines the fuels community.

RADM (Ret) Mark Heinrich, a distinguished KU graduate and 46^th Chief of the Supply Corps, said it best: “There is no commodity more important on the battlefield. Sustainment is our weapon, and no one understands it better than a fuelie.”
He credited KU with sharpening his leadership and operational vision early on—and emphasized how uniquely valuable fuel officers are to the joint force.

As the Seventh Fleet Fuels Officer, I’ll be joining a cadre fuelies responsible for ensuring the warfighter gets fuel where and when it’s needed. That means synchronizing with regional fuel officers, DLA, joint planners, and senior commands across INDOPACOM.

Fuel logistics isn’t just about inventory—it’s about speed, flexibility, and reach. It’s a joint problem. And no one fights jointly better than Navy fuelies.

“Our nation’s most strategic competitive advantage is our economy, and our economy is protected by the U.S. Navy by ensuring uninterrupted supply chains—globally. Fuel is the commodity that enables all others.” – Kristen Olsen, Deputy Officer in Charge, Navy Petroleum Office.

Call to Action

The application process is competitive—but too often JOs count themselves out before they even apply. They worry about GMAT scores, or not having a technical degree, or being too far removed from school. Here’s the truth: if a once-in-a-lifetime good deal presents itself – take it! If your academic profile code (APC) doesn’t qualify, submit a waiver. Take the GMAT and submit a package.

In the classroom, we have an edge. We bring leadership, operational savviness, and decision-making under pressure. Professors and peers alike respect what we bring to the table. You’ll add value from day one. If you’re even thinking about the CIVINS program: Talk to fuelies. Call NPO. Study for the GMAT. Submit the package.

The Navy needs fuels expertise more than ever. With contested logistics, environmental compliance requirements, and rising tensions across all AORs, the requirement for strategically trained fuel officers is only growing. You won’t just earn a degree—you’ll earn a seat at the table. And a network for life.

Final Thoughts

Attending KU has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me and my family. I’ll be forever grateful to the Supply Corps and the fuels community for the opportunity. This program gave me time to learn, time to grow, and time with my family. It gave me new tools, a powerful network, and a mindset to lead in the next fight. Fuelies don’t chase headlines. We enable missions. If you want to lead where logistics meets strategy—this is your path. You’ll be smarter, more strategic, and ready to fuel the fleet in ways few ever will. Take the opportunity. Jump at it when it presents itself.