Center for Security Forces Command Helps Prepare Sailors

By Lt. j.g. Alphonso Jefferson, Jr., Strategic Communications Officer/PAO, Center For Security Forces

As the Navy continues to provide support in the global war on terrorism, the need to properly prepare Sailors to be successful in individual augmentee (IA) assignments has become a high priority. In partnership with the Army, the Center for Security Forces Command (CSF) provides Sailors with basic combat skill familiarization and weapons qualifications that will allow them to integrate in Army Units and assume missions other than combat infantry.

Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training (NIACT) is a 12-day course developed by the Navy and delivered by Army instructors at Camp McCrady Training Center, S.C. NIACT provides Sailors with training in small arms and crew-served weapons, radio communications and land navigation, combat first aid, convoy operations and other essential skills.

By virtue of having Army drill sergeants as their instructors, Sailors are also indoctrinated in the Army mindset and philosophy, which helps facilitate the integration of individual Sailors within Army units performing Combat Support and Combat Service Support missions. Since its inception in January 2006, more than 7,200 Sailors have graduated from NIACT.