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Navy Re-Engineers Surface Warfare Training

Story Number: NNS030220-10
Release Date: 2/21/2003 4:40:00 AM

By Darlene Goodwin, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Staff members from the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) headquarters in Pensacola, Fla., are celebrating a recent accomplishment in the re-engineering of the surface warfare officer (SWO) division officer at-sea training program.

Members of the learning strategies and professional skills divisions at the training headquarters, along with contract support and staff members from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, commanders of the Pacific and Atlantic naval surface forces, Naval Personnel Command, and the SWO school (SWOS) command spent the better part of a year working the project, which was recently completed ahead of schedule.

"Re-engineering the SWO division officer training program is a true attempt to put change on the fast track - to see how rapidly we could ramp up to get a totally new and innovative product delivered," said Saundra Drummer, NETC learning strategies division director. "A project of this magnitude would normally take at least 18 months from conception to completion. Analysis, curriculum reengineering, fleet reviews, duplication, packaging and shipboard delivery was accomplished in less than one year. It was quite an undertaking, and most importantly a learning experience that we can leverage to move forward on other reengineering efforts. The team worked well together, and the fleet seems very pleased with the finished product."

According to Lt. Cmdr. Mark Steele, NETC surface warfare officer training program manager, the Navy has essentially re-engineered six months worth of classroom instruction into apprenticeship-style training to be completed aboard ship.

"Previously, new officers reported to the SWOS division officer course in Newport, R.I., before their first sea tour," said Steele. "Now they will complete their initial training aboard ship. After they have completed the instructional requirements, assumed responsibilities of a division officer and earned their fleet officer of the deck underway letter, they will then report to SWOS Newport for a three week advanced proficiency course, which is accomplished via PC-based simulators and classroom training."

Following completion of the formal training, the officers will be sent back to their ships ready for their SWO qualification board - the final step toward becoming a designated surface warfare officer.

"Having successfully completed the program, these officers will have earned their SWO designation roughly 12 months earlier than under the previous qualification process," said Steele. "This provides the Navy with a warfare qualified officer, of greater utility to the ship's mission, in a more timely and efficient manner."

Angela Heard, head of the enterprise learning branch of NETC's learning strategies division, said the project made a very positive, fundamental change in the way new SWOs are trained. "We've taken the officers out of the traditional classroom and put them in the perfect learning environment for a new SWO - on a ship," said Heard. "Human performance studies show that practical, on-the-job training yields better results. We fully expect that analysis of our measures of effectiveness will confirm that we've made a significant improvement here."

New program elements include the assignment of a mentor for each officer for the duration of the program, integrated leadership training and learner-paced CD-ROM instruction, followed by practical training.

The first group of 92 officers entering the training reported to their ships in January. They are expected to complete the training cycle in 12-to-18 months.

"We train approximately 960-to-1,100 new SWOs each year," said Steele. "Our largest influx to the program will be in the May/June timeframe, following the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and Naval Academy graduations, when approximately 800-900 officers will be sent to their ships and begin SWO training. This re-engineering effort positively impacts the crucial first step in becoming a surface warfare-qualified officer and will benefit our entire surface Navy officer corps."

NETC Commander Vice Adm. Alfred G. Harms Jr. said the SWO training re-engineering idea originated in the fleet and is being very well-received.

"This is another key element in our Revolution in Navy Training, and we are very excited with our success in getting the program started," said Harms. "Better training for our surface warfare officers enhances their professional development and improves Navy readiness. We anticipate great results in the way these officers will perform in the fleet as a result of this reengineering project."