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USS John S. McCain Maximizes Training Time

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080223-14
Release Date: 2/23/2008 9:30:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Japan

USS JOHN S. MCCAIN, At sea (NNS) -- Sailors of the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) set aside dedicated advancement exam study time while the ship was in Sasebo, Japan Feb. 19-21, during a scheduled port visit.

John S. McCain's Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW/AW) Martin K. King stated that advancement study sessions like this have produced good results in the recent past.

"We are proud of our 40 percent advancement rate achieved last cycle and are working to match or exceed this high mark. We dedicate 45 minutes daily, 3 days a week, to tailored and supervised advancement exam study," King said. "In addition to this routine 'School the Ship' program, while in Sasebo we invested our valuable resources (Sailors and time) to supervised self-study, 2 hours per day."

Sailors who are not eligible for advancement this cycle assisted their shipmates by teaching and quizzing them on in-rate material and general military training.
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Nathan Phillips said that dedicated study time is invaluable – especially in the fast-paced operations of the forward-deployed naval forces.

"It's busy underway. Between maintenance, getting qualifications on the ship, and studying for ESWS (Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist), there's not a lot of free time," Phillips said. "But it's important to have this dedicated time to study for advancement."
Phillips added that the torpedoman and gunner's mate rating merger added to the necessity of dedicated study time for him.

"There's material on the test about things I've never had to deal with before and when those things are part of advancement I need to study for it," he said.

Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SW) Hector Galvan said the program's success was dependent on time invested.

"The opportunity to study onboard has a lot of potential," he said. "If we invest time in it, we can produce positive results."

Those results are a more knowledgeable crew that is advancing early or on time. According to John S. McCain's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John Banigan, rate-savvy Sailors make a smarter ship.

"This command rightfully and significantly invests within the personal and professional development of our Sailors. In doing so, we make our crew and this warship even more formidable," he said.

For more from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.