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Assistant SECNAV Reviews Training at Great Lakes

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100813-11
8/13/2010

By James F. Antonucci, Training Support Center Great Lakes Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, IL (NNS) -- The assistant secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) visited the Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, Ill. Aug. 13.

Juan M. Garcia, III observed training techniques TSC-supported learning sites use to train their students.

"Having Mr. Garcia tour facilities at TSC and the learning sites gives him the opportunity to see the quality of the staff and the level of apprenticeship training the students receive prior to their first assignment to the fleet," said Capt. Caroline M. Olinger, TSC commanding officer.

Garcia also toured the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) "A" or technical schools where he had the opportunity to visit the Gunner's Mate (GM) and Electronics Technician (ET) schools. While visiting CSCSU, he observed students utilizing computer-based training (CBT) to learn their curriculum in an Integrated Learning Environment (ILE). The facilities were able to demonstrate just what materials are in their curriculum and how students interact with computers and simulators. He examined the methodology that trains Sailors on their path to the fleet.

"I think we have the formula right," Garcia said. "That mixture of technology, hands-on and human touch ensures that we can get to every type of learner."

Garcia also toured the Advanced Technical Training (ATT) School of CSCSU, along with a brief on Surface Common Core. Lt. Christopher L. May, ATT school director, explained the details of CBT in his program and how the computer programmed training aides to assist in teaching students fundamental electronics.

The assistant SECNAV received exposure to the utilization of the Navy Electricity and Electronics Training (NEET) modules in conjunction again with the CBT and having instructors do one-on-one instruction with students. This illustrated how the ILE training method works.

"It was a pleasure to host Mr. Garcia and show him the great staff teamwork and dedication that goes into the sailorization process," said Courtenay E. Murakowski, TSC executive officer.

Following the visit, Garcia took an in-depth tour at Center for Naval Engineering (CNE) Great Lakes and the Mentor Associated Basic Engineering Common Core (BECC) labs and CBT classrooms.

"It's never been harder than today to get into the Navy…. America should know, we have the best, the most qualified, most educated, most technically-savvy feet Sailors we've ever had," Garcia said. "And I just saw it in the faces of the students we just saw."

With the BECC course balancing training between CBT, hands-on training labs and instructor-led classroom training, the study of fleet equipment becomes extremely realistic with additional simulations and trainers. This "blend" of educational techniques interested Garcia whose functions in manpower always have the interests of training in mind.

Garcia was briefed on some of the hands-on facilities at CNE with the engineering staff demonstrating the Diesel Engine Simulator and the massive Diesel Front Panel Simulator and other "C" or advanced school curriculum training devices.

"Having Mr. Garcia review our training techniques and see the benefits of the blended training environment will assist him where the matters of personnel training and fleet-manning are concerned," said Cmdr. Michael R. Curtis, Center for Naval Engineering officer in charge.

"You cannot walk away from a day at Great Lakes and not feel good about the country," Garcia said. "I often get buried in the recesses of the Pentagon working on hardware programs like JSF and Littoral Combat ships. But at the end of the day, the image that will stay with me is of those brand new recruits, lining up for their shots. That is the core, ground truth element of our Navy, our DOD. It's people."

"Mr. Garcia has taken this opportunity to see how TSC plays an important part in the training methodology of the Navy. His views and candor will benefit Sailors in training and the Navy as a whole," Olinger said.

TSC Great Lakes is the only training command located within the same vicinity of Recruit Training Command and is the home of six learning sites operated independently. The command supports 90 percent of the Surface Navy Schools and averages 16,000 students through its facilities each year.