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22 NCR's Training Department Provides Deployment Readiness

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080215-01
Release Date: 2/15/2008 8:08:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SCW) Jeffrey J. Pierce, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- In preparation for their upcoming deployment to the Al Anbar Province of Iraq in support of Multi-National Forces-West, the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment's (NCR) training department has been very busy over the past few months.

Master Chief Constructionman (SCW) Charlie Hull, 22 NCR's training officer, explained that the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq laid out pre-deployment training requirements that had to be met before 22 NCR deploys to the region.

According to Hull, to meet many of the requirements, a training plan was formulated and divided into three separate blocks. Block I consisted of a web-based curriculum on Navy Knowledge Online, allowing personnel to complete the training at their own pace.

Block II of the curriculum consisted of training specific to 22 NCR's deployed area of responsibility (AOR). For this training, subject matter experts from within 22 NCR's ranks were chosen to teach the necessary subjects each week.

To complete this training on time, Hull had many challenges to meet.

"The biggest challenge I faced was getting personnel to divorce themselves from their jobs for a few hours each week to attend," Hull said. "To help accomplish this we scheduled the training early in the morning so it wouldn't affect the workday. Personnel who were TAD (temporarily assigned duties) to different locations or on travel presented a challenge as well."

Another hurdle to overcome was the addition of 45 mobilized reservists in early January. The new 22 NCR personnel needed to complete the Block I and II training as well. The reservists completed their Block I training prior to mobilization, and in anticipation of their arrival, a second round of Block II training was scheduled well in advance.

According to Hull, this was not only beneficial for the mobilized reservists; it also allowed active-duty personnel to complete elements from the first round of the Block II training that they missed because they were TAD or on travel.

Block III training is job or position specific for the deployed AOR, and was provided to the personnel the week of Feb. 11.

There was still training that couldn't be completed in house. This included weapon proficiency with the M-16 rifle and 9mm pistol as well as training that could only be obtained through formal schools. To accomplish this 22 NCR turned to the 20th Seabee Readiness Group (SRG).

According to Hull, Senior Chief Steelworker (SCW) Howard Tomme, who helped coordinate the four ranges required to get everyone qualified on their weapons, and Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Nathan Kimball, who scheduled the formal schools for attainment, were instrumental in helping 22 NCR meet their training requirement for deployment.

"[The] 22 NCR has no indigenous training facilities or instructors so we called on the 20th SRG for assistance," Hull said. "The support we received from the 20th SRG has been phenomenal and it would have been impossible to meet our training requirements without them."

Another crucial piece of 22 NCR's training puzzle was how to prepare personnel for their command and control responsibilities. To accomplish this, 22 NCR held two Command Post Exercises (CPX) locally and participated in a Mission Readiness Exercise (MRX) in Camp Pendleton, Calif., alongside members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

According to Hull, the intent of these exercises was to refine 22 NCR's command, control, communication and computer (C4) operating procedures and associated skill sets. The goal was to maintain viable communication throughout the exercises resulting in the display of effective C4.

According to Master Chief Constructionman (SCW) Richard Darrah, 22 NCR's Exercise Control Group leader for the CPXs and MRX, the overall training went very well.

"A lot of lessons were learned and many NCF (Naval Construction Force) training firsts occurred during these exercises. For example, we used a lot computerized command and control software for operational overlays and intelligence products, which simulated real-time operations," Darrah said. "This is the first time that we used a full compliment of software and hardware that we will use when we deploy."

With the deployment looming ever so close on the horizon, Hull is pleased with the results he's witnessed.

"The training has gone great," said Hull. "The performance of the subject-matter experts we chose to teach the specific courses has been excellent. Everyone involved has worked very hard to make sure we meet our training requirement."

For more news from 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/22ndNCR/.