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Training the Sea Warrior: BOA Validates Additional AT/FP Needs, Fast Cruise Curriculum

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030402-10
Release Date: 4/3/2003 4:12:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Rhonda Burke, Naval Training Center Great Lakes Public Affairs

RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND, Great Lakes, Ill. (NNS) -- To ensure Sailors are ready to meet the demands of being a sea warrior, the Navy's senior enlisted leaders, who make up the Basic Military Training/Navy Military Training Board of Advisors (BOA), continue their validation of the Navy's boot camp curriculum and are now working on standardizing Navy Military Training (NMT) courses and their delivery fleetwide.

In its fourth meeting since being established in the fall of 2001, the BOA and the staff of the Recruit Training Command (RTC) continue their endeavor to increase weapons and force protection training for recruits. They are also working to revise the traditional "service week," now dubbed "fast cruise," to include time for additional training in shipboard skills such as fire fighting, damage control, self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) familiarization and personal development.

The board met at RTC's USS Wisconsin live-fire gun range at Great Lakes, Ill., March 17-21. During the week, the senior enlisted leaders had an opportunity to tour facilities and RTC, and to meet with staff and recruits in training.

The BOA has also committed to working with the Navy Personnel Development Command (NPDC) to evaluate current NMT topics for standardization and to develop new course materials and instructional methodology that will set the foundation for a Sailors' life-long learning on topics such as Navy heritage, advancement, Navy mission and capabilities, healthy lifestyles, citizenship and core values.

Comprised of fleet, force and training level command master chiefs, the BOA is charged with validating the curriculum developed by RTC and making recommendations to ensure training remains in alignment with fleet needs. This is the second meeting in which the BOA has expanded its scope beyond basic military training to include NMT.

"This is the right way to maintain the relevance of our training. Having the fleet and force master chief petty officers of our Navy evaluating our course content and training methods keep us on course," Vice Adm. Al Harms, commander Naval Education and Training Command of the BOA. "Recent world events dictate that our Navy needs to continue to increase training on force protection issues and weapons familiarization. The Sea Warrior training must start in boot camp."

Based on recommendations from previous BOA meetings, RTC has incorporated five additional hours of anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) training since the fall of 2001, including an additional three hours of live-fire training and weapons familiarization, and a two-hour AT/FP drill in which Sailors must locate training devices during a security alert scenario. The training scenario is generally scheduled for the night following battle stations and reinforces the sea warrior concept, in which all Sailors are responsible for the safety and security of their ship or station.

Additionally, recruits are now firing 20 rounds from the 9mm-pistol and are receiving instruction on weapons turnover as part of their watch standing requirements.

"This is an important step in our training as we continue to instill the warrior spirit in our newest Sailors," Harms said.

The overhaul of the traditional service week has also been continuously reviewed by the BOA, with an eye toward incorporating additional training in the five-day period. During service week, recruits had previously worked in the galleys, performed grounds and building maintenance, and worked in administrative jobs. Last year, the week was renamed "Fast Cruise" to be more in alignment with fleet terminology.

The BOA will review in mid-April a proposed schedule and mix of the training that will be included in this five-day period. Emphasis will be on fleet-specific training such as damage control, fire fighting, confidence course, SCBA familiarization, additional water survival training, computer training, core values and personal development.

"We continue to work with fleet leadership to ensure our training is relevant and is in line with their requirements," said Rear Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, commander Naval Service Training Command. "The wisdom and experience the BOA members bring to the table are making Navy training better and ensuring our Sailors are prepared to fight and win."