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SHIPTRAIN Changes Bring Benefits to Fleet Sailors

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060316-15
Release Date: 3/17/2006 4:30:00 AM

By Lt. Jodie Cornell, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commanding Officer of Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic, Capt. William D. Valentine Jr., came aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) March 15 to brief the media and demonstrate the revolution in shipboard training and readiness known as SHIPTRAIN.

The Atlantic and Pacific Fleet ATGs are deploying and providing training on the Training and Operational Readiness Information Services (TORIS) database and Training Figure of Merit (TFOM) software application. The implementation will be complete in about 18 months on all surface ships.

TFOM and TORIS are a big part of the new SHIPTRAIN, already installed on 83 ships around the fleet. SHIPTRAIN was implemented after a zero-based review of the inter-deployment training cycle (IDTC) directed by the Chief of Naval Operations’ Guidance for 2004. The testing of SHIPTRAIN began in March 2004.

“TFOM is a way to measure all mission areas that the ships are required to certify in. It is an objective, trendable and measurable matrix,” said Valentine.

The Afloat Training Groups are working closely together to refine the TORIS database and TFOM application.

“Not only is TORIS serving ATG and the ships, but it is a marriage between the school houses and the ships. The school house can look at the TORIS data to better tailor their training at that level for the new Sailors headed to the ships,” said Valentine.

SHIPTRAIN allows the crews of each class of ship to know where their level of knowledge stands and the ship’s readiness level. It helps the ship correct training deficiencies before they become problems.

One way the ship can measure its proficiency is through Level of Knowledge exams. Sailors take tests in areas such as force protection, rules of the road and damage control, and then are graded by an automated computer program.

“The Level of Knowledge exams are a good way to do a spot check on the crew. We can see how well a Sailor is learning and retaining in their qualification areas. We can concentrate on one Sailor, if needed,” said Lt. j.g. Kristin Davidson, training officer aboard James E. Williams.

Along with the proficiency measuring system, ATGs are also changing the manner in which they train, assess and certify the ships.

Ships will now do a Unit Level Training Assessment (ULTRA) Certification/Engineering, followed by an ULTRA Sustainment assessment every six months. This will validate ships’ ability to train, self-assess and maintain higher levels of readiness.

“It is a change in culture. The new way of doing business will help ships retain their level of training so they are ready to go when called to do a mission, whether it is a six-month deployment, surge or local operations,” said Valentine.

The ultimate goal is to ensure all surface force units maintain and sustain the highest possible levels of proficiency at all times.