ATRC's Aegis Pilot Program Graduates its First Class
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100325-10
Release Date: 3/25/2010 3:30:00 PM
By Lt. Alan Hardesty, Aegis Training and Readiness Center Public Affairs
DAHLGREN, Va. (NNS) -- Twelve Sailors graduated from Aeigis Training and Readiness Center's (ATRC) first Aegis Fire Controlman (FC) Radar Apprentice pilot class March 8.
The graduates will serve aboard ballistic missile defense ships throughout the fleet.
The pilot tests the Navy's return on investment by modifying existing apprentice training and distribution - delivering the right training, tailored to the right Sailor, which will benefit the needs of their new command, at the right time in the Sailor's career.
Under the previous training model, Sailors were sent to ships with six months of traditional E-5/journeyman level training, but no shipboard experience. "We'll now be sending Sailors who can immediately assume the duties as condition three radar system controllers (RSCs) and missile systems supervisor (MSS), and as preventive maintenance technicians the day they report on board," said Capt. Russ Haas, ARTC's commanding officer.
In the fall of 2009, ATRC launched its Aegis pilot course that focuses on operational and routine maintenance. During the course Sailors are taught to perform preventive maintenance on Aegis Radar (SPY-1 and FCS Mk 99) and auxiliary systems that are used on ballistic missile defense ships throughout the fleet.
Upon completion of their initial apprentice training and an 18-month sea tour, Sailors will return to ATRC in Dahlgren, Va. to complete advanced corrective and casualty control journeyman training.
The pilot course consists of two classes of 12 students. The curriculum aligns a Sailor's initial rate training with the required skills fleet commanders have deemed essential that a Sailor know, so they can immediately become a viable member of their command.
The distinct advantage over traditional training methods is that the pilot course of study is designed to prepare the Sailors for the tasks they will principally perform their first 18 months of sea duty.
"The tasks have been boiled down to performing preventive maintenance, assisting with preventive and corrective maintenance, and watchstanding," said Jeff Noordyk, ATRC's director of training. "The Radar Apprentice course focuses on training our Sailors to perform preventive maintenance and watchstanding. They'll then be able to take a corrective maintenance "C" school after they complete their initial 18 months of sea duty. It doesn't mean that radar apprentices should be excluded from assisting with corrective maintenance. Any experience they get will enhance their learning and retention in "C" school over traditional training methods by decreasing the time it takes to prepare them for their first sea duty."
"This course helps us get to the fleet quicker," said Fire Controlman Seaman Alissa Bishop from Aurora, Colo. assigned to USS Stethem (DDG 63). "The speed and the challenge of the training is appealing. I'm fortunate to be part of a new program that helps the Navy."
Additionally, Sailors are trained to qualify as RSC and MSS watchstanders in a fraction of traditional qualification time.
"The Aegis Radar Apprentice pilot suggests that the time it takes apprentice Sailors to qualify as an RSC and MSS be reduced because the Radar Apprentice course devotes a larger proportion of class time and repetition to watch station training than the traditional "C" school," said Noordyk. "ATRC was able to increase the scope of watch station training by delaying the corrective maintenance training they receive until "C" school. Repetition of watch station tasks, were also increased through use of three different simulation programs, one of which was built to support the pilot."
"The FC pilot course is like an internship one would take at college," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Brian Hannasauro from South Glens Falls, N.Y., assigned to USS O'Kane (DDG 77). "I'm receiving hands-on experience. I believe this program's end result will be better technicians and operators for the fleet. This program is exciting and potentially could change how the Navy trains."
Sailors graduating from the program will also receive Center for Surface Combat Systems waterfront continuum training during their 18-month apprentice sea tours. The training includes; advanced system maintenance and troubleshooting, Self-Assessment Groom Training, which provides in-depth preventive and corrective maintenance and advanced level equipment operator training to support each element of the Aegis weapon system, individual advanced RSC and MSS operator training, and advanced warfare training that Sailors will use as part of their ship's Combat Information Center team.
"The training continuum is designed to prevent knowledge and skill decay," said Haas. "As well as enhance the apprentice Sailor's preparation for journeyman training."
"I like the versatility of the program," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class John Oge, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73). "I'm being trained to operate shipboard radar and fire control system's and learning how to work in those work centers. As a result, I'll be more of an asset to the fleet."
According to ATRC, fleet returnee Sailors will be better prepared for advancement and follow-on AEGIS Advance Radar "C" schools.
"ATRC hopes to increase first term Sailor re-enlistment rates, and improve confidence, technical knowledge, and skill set capabilities for journeyman radar technicians and operators," said Haas.
ATRC's vision is that its new model breaks old training models by shifting emphasis to a variety of long-term training at appropriate phases in a Sailor's career.
"This will improve the effectiveness of FC pipeline training by increasing the frequency and intensity of training in a Sailor's career by providing the right training, at the right time," said Haas.
The 24 FC Radar Apprentice pilot Sailors enrolled in the program have received orders to 12 aegis ships home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Norfolk, Va., San Diego, Mayport Fla., and Yokosuka, Japan.
ARTC's second class of 12 Sailors will graduate in April.
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