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Training Command News

26 Jan 2023

Interview: Brendan Smith, President, Seaward Services

Brendan Smith (Photo: Seaward Services)

Brendan Smith brings more than a decade of maritime experience to his role as president of Seaward Services, a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels. The company is part of the Hornblower Group.During his 6.5 years with the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS Santa Fe, and his roles included chemistry and radiological controls assistant (CRA), quality assurance officer (QAO) and combat operations instructor.

01 Jun 2022

Brendan Smith Takes the Helm as President, Seaward Services

Hornblower Group announced today that Brendan Smith, formerly VP of Engineering, NYC Ferry, has been named President of Seaward Services, Inc.  Photo courtesy Hornblower Group

Hornblower Group announced that Brendan Smith, formerly VP of Engineering, NYC Ferry, has been named President of Seaward Services, Inc. Smith replaces John Keever, who has retired after 50 years in the industry, and will report to Scott Thornton, COO of Hornblower Group’s Ferries and Transportation Division.As President of Seaward Services, Inc., Smith will oversee the operation and maintenance of both government and privately owned craft, including High-Speed Craft, Range Craft, Experimental Craft, Training Craft, Research Vessels and Unmanned Surface Vessels.

17 Sep 2020

Fit for Fight: Navies challenged by COVID at sea, ashore

Fit for the COVID Fight: Sailors stand in ranks before manning the rails of Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Photos: U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Huntington

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, navies adjusted how they operate at home and while deployed, to keep their forces ready for any missions as they keep their Sailors, families, communities, as well as allies and partners safe from the coronavirus.Navies have taken a number of prudent preventative measures to limit outbreaks, mitigate cases of infection and reduce the community spread of the virus.Speaking during his May 29 “On The Horizon: Navigating the European and African Theaters” podcast, Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, said The U.S.

26 Feb 2017

NAVADMIN Soliciting Sailors for RDC Duty

The Navy is recruiting Sailors to become recruit division commanders (RDCs) at Recruit Training Command, the Navy's only boot camp, and Officer Training Command, as announced in the NAVADMIN 042/17 message, released Feb. 23. Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. R. P. Burke, in the message calls on Navy leadership to canvass their top-quality enlisted personnel and encourage them to consider RDC as their next shore duty choice. The job of an RDC is not easy shore duty. The hours are long, the work is physically challenging, and strong character and personal integrity are required throughout the RDCs' work day. However, the personal reward of training and preparing Sailors for the fleet is unmatched.

31 Jan 2017

US Navy Launches Full Speed Ahead Training

The chief of Naval Personnel announced Jan. 30 new training for 2017 that expands on existing efforts to prevent destructive behaviors across the fleet. The training entitled, Full Speed Ahead, is designed to reinforce the Navy's core attributes and help build a strong foundation for professional and resilient Sailors. It follows Chart the Course and Bystander Intervention training that was conducted the past two years. "The goal of Full Speed Ahead is to continue the positive work we've done combating destructive behaviors while reinforcing our core attributes," said Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt, director, 21st Century Sailor Office. "Behavior change takes leadership and practice. This is about building the strong foundation of a resilient and professional force.

06 Jul 2016

National Museum of the American Sailor Unveiled

The Great Lakes Naval Museum was officially renamed the National Museum of the American Sailor during a ceremony and sign unveiling at the museum July 4. The Navy's top enlisted Sailor, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens, was joined by retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Capt. James Hawkins, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, Jennifer Searcy, Ph.D., director of the National Museum of the American Sailor, and representatives from the Great Lakes Naval Museum Foundation and National Museum of the American Sailor Foundation to unveil the new sign in front of the museum.

20 Apr 2016

GMT Mobile Apps for Sailors Released

Two new mobile apps designed for Sailors to complete required Navy General Military Training (GMT) on Records Management (RM) and Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Awareness became available April 19. PII and RM are annual GMT Standardized Core Training (SCT) requirements. PII must be completed by August 31 every year. The records management training app has been updated to include current topics and new focus areas. RM must be completed by December 31 every year. The apps are designed to provide Sailors with anytime, anywhere access to the mandatory training as well as links to key resources. "The mobile apps are an extension of our training to offer alternate methods to our workforce," said Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command.

07 Apr 2016

Cape Henry Associates Awarded US Navy Training Contract

The U.S. Navy has awarded Cape Henry Associates, along with five other companies, a curriculum analysis and planning services task order contract worth a projected $154 million over a six-year total ordering period. The contract will support the Naval Education Training Command’s Naval Training Products and Services program. Cape Henry Associates said it aims to grow its workforce even further in 2016, and with this contract win the company plans to provide even more careers to military veterans. “This contract has the potential to add dozens of new permanent jobs at Cape Henry Associates. The work required under this contract by definition mandates military knowledge. Where better to find our subject matter experts than to tap the top-shelf men and women formerly serving our country?

06 Mar 2016

USN's 6th MCPON Passes Away

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) William "Bill" H. Plackett died peacefully the evening of March 4. He was 78. Plackett became the sixth MCPON Oct. 1, 1985. He relieved Billy C. Sanders and held the job for three years before Duane R. Bushey assumed duties in September 1988. Plackett was born in Paxton, Illinois, and joined the Navy at the age of 19 in 1956. He attended radarman "A" school in Norfolk, Virginia and was assigned to the Naval Control of Shipping Office in Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. He served tours aboard Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet embarked upon amphibious force command ship USS Mount McKinley (AGC 7), and Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy.

16 Jul 2015

Cheyenne Navy Week Kicks Off

Rear Adm. Michael White, commander, Naval Education Training Command, from Denver, accepted a proclamation from Cheyenne's Mayor Richard Kaysen during the Cheyenne Navy Week Kick-Off Concert, July 14. The Kick-Off Concert featured U.S. Navy Band Southwest's Brass Quintet and their popular music group the "Destroyers," as well as a screening of "Top Gun". "We here in Cheyenne are proud to be one of 12 cities chosen to host Navy Week," the mayor said. More than 150 residents came to show their support to their Navy, while also enjoying the festivities. "This community has been extremely welcoming for myself and all of the Sailors here," said White.

09 Apr 2015

MCPON Launches eSailor Initiative at RTC

The Navy's top enlisted Sailor, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike D. Stevens, was on hand to distribute the first electronic tablets (e-tablets) to the Navy's newest recruits at Recruit Training Command (RTC), April 7. The launch of the eSailor initiative is a pre-pilot, beta testing to two divisions of 70 recruits to help determine how well the device integrates into the training environment at RTC. The e-tablet will contain RTC curriculum, including training videos, texts and access to professional development websites. RTC is primarily responsible for conducting the initial Navy orientation and training of new recruits.

04 Apr 2015

NSTC Launches New Domain SAPR Website

Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) with the launch of a new Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) website, April 1. With the NSTC geographic domain extending throughout the country, overseeing Recruit Training Command, Officer Training Command, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), which contains more than 160 affiliated colleges and universities, this new SAPR website will provide "one-stop" shop for SAPR resources. "At NSTC, we train 98 percent of the Sailors and officers who enter the Navy," said Capt. Bob Fink, NSTC deputy commander. "Establishing a culture in our Navy that is intolerant of sexual assault and supportive of victims begins with us.

12 Feb 2015

Learning & Development Roadmaps Instantly Updatable

Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced Feb. 10 that the Navy's comprehensive enlisted career guides, Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDR), have transitioned to a Web application that is easily-accessed and instantly updatable. Available through Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) and Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Navy COOL), LaDRs are a vital tool that help guide enlisted Sailors throughout their career advancement, and are available for all enlisted ratings and paygrades. "The LaDRs effectively provide Sailors and their leadership a guide that displays in one location all of their current and projected enlisted training and education requirements as they advance," said Richard Nein, NETC LaDR program analyst.

11 Jan 2015

RTC, OTC Begin Female Haircut Program

In an effort to standardize training and education across the military services, Recruit Training Command (RTC) and Officer Training Command (OTC) will run a pilot program, which will no longer require female accessions to cut their hair. The pilot program, which will run from January through March 2015, comes after receiving fleet feedback that junior Sailors and officers are not taught proper grooming standards with longer hair. This shift will align the Navy with every other armed forces service, which do not require female accessions to cut their hair. RTC and OTC required all females with long hair to cut it to the lower edge of the uniform collar. Now, female Sailors will have the ability to choose any hairstyle that meets uniform regulations.

13 Nov 2014

Women Needed for Shore Programs

Career opportunities for active-duty female Sailors are abundant with the Women Ashore program, Navy detailers said Nov. 12. "There are opportunities for female Sailors to earn their Instructor Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) (9502), their master training specialist qualification, corrections specialist NEC (9575), or even their Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) instructor NEC (9505)," said Chief Yeoman (AW) Anna Masterson, detailer, Shore Special Programs. * Instructor Duty at Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, Illinois. This duty is primarily designated for Navy Military Training Instructors (NMTI). NMTIs at…

13 Oct 2014

Making Civilians into Sailors

At Recruit Training Command, they transform civilians into basically trained, physically fit, well disciplined Sailors – 39,000 of them each year. They are trained by a cadre of fleet experienced enlisted Sailors who must meet stringent screening standards and embody our Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment. The Command continually looks for talented 2nd and 1st class petty officers, chiefs and senior chiefs to become recruit division commanders and basic naval orientation instructors, tasked with forging the next generation of Sailors. "Just as our recruits will go into every field in the Navy, the recruit division commanders and instructors come from every enlisted community throughout the fleet," says Capt. John Dye, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command.

10 Jan 2014

Philippine Coast Guard Chief Appointed Vice Admiral

President Aquino has promoted Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena to the rank of Vice Admiral (VADM). PCG spokesman Commander Armando Balilo said Aquino approved and signed Isorena’s promotion last January 3. The appointment order was officially transmitted to the Office of the DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya yesterday. Isorena is the 25th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard and succeeded Vice Admiral Edmund Tan, who retired from the service last December 15, 2012. Vice Admiral Rodolfo D. Isorena hails from the Province of Virac, Catanduanes. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), belonging to the SANDIGAN Class of 1982.

16 Jul 2013

USN, Republic of Singapore Navy Commence 19th CARAT Singapore

The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) docks near the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) in Singapore. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh/Released)

The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore exercise commenced with an opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base, July 15. Continuing through July 26, CARAT Singapore 2013 consists of 12 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. CARAT Singapore is part of a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia.

31 Dec 2012

Virtual Desktop Cuts Number of US Navy Computers

Virtual Desktop Presentation: Photo credit USN

Navy Training Commander sees benefits of desktop virtualization at the Naval AviationTechnical Training Unit. The virtual desktop initiative (VDI)  is a five year plan to deploy the VDI to more than 36,000 daily users and will replace 80 percent of the more than 23,000 desktop computers in more than 2,500 classrooms at 68 learning sites around the world. Desktop virtualization provides multiple student and instructor workstations from a centralized server environment, which eliminates physical workstations residing in an electronic classroom.

08 May 2012

General Dynamics Contracted for Naval Eduction, IT Training

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to deliver education and training support services to the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) and the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC). This three-year, multiple-award contract has a potential value of $97.4 million to all nine awardees, if all options are exercised. Since 1992, General Dynamics has worked with the NETC and NETPDTC to develop and deliver training programs for the Navy and U.S. Department of Defense agencies. The company will continue to offer a variety of training services including courseware development…

15 Apr 2009

Transas Supplies Simulator for Hellenic Navy

Transas Hellas in collaboration with Transas Mediterranean SAS supplied the Naval Training Command of the Hellenic Navy with a Bridge Simulator. The bridge simulator covers the training needs of the HN/NTC (Hellenic Navy / Naval Training Command), regarding the training and practice of Hellenic Navy War Ships team as well as the HN personnel. The simulator also meets the standards of the IMO regulations. Additionally it has the ability to network with other simulators and will be able to expand and operate up to 16 bridges.

13 Nov 2008

Navy Simulator Wins Award

The Navy's unique, high-tech simulator of shipboard emergencies to test Recruits at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes won a national award for construction project excellence Nov. Battle Stations 21's USS Trayer, a life-like mockup of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and its surrounding 157,000-square-foot building, was recognized by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) as the best overall design-build project in the United States for 2008, cited for exemplary interdisciplinary teamwork, innovation and problem-solving in creating the one-of-a-kind facility.

10 Sep 2008

CNP visits NAVSTA Newport

By Scott A. Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) returned to Naval Station (NAVSTA) August 29, to review a graduation of newly commissioned officers at Officer Candidate School (OCS) and help rededicate one of their training facility. Vice Adm. Mark E. Ferguson, III, addressed more than 40 new ensigns during the morning OCS graduation on Nimitz Field. "I want to leave each of you with two questions that I want you to remember as you procede from here and go on throughout your careers," he said. According to , those are two of the most important questions for them to constantly remember as they rise in rank during their naval careers. "You each will have a responsibility to your Sailors and when you drag yourselves out of bed to stand the mid-watch…