Training and qualifications: OI Division plans ahead

NEWPORTS NEWS, VA, UNITED STATES

02.26.2019

Story by Seaman Michael Botts 

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

Training and qualifications are two of the most essential things a Sailor needs to get while in the Navy. However, both of these things can pose a challenge for Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to achieve while the ship is undergoing refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

The OI division in the ship’s operations department has taken steps to ensure their Sailors are getting the training they need. They sent 18 Sailors on temporary assigned duty to Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) Wallops Island, Virginia, from Nov. 26 to Nov. 30, to attend comprehensive classroom and simulator training to develop and maintain warfighting skills for the George Washington combat direction center (CDC) training team.

“Right now, in the shipyard, we have no organic means of training people,” said Lt. Joal Fischer, the OI division officer, assigned to George Washington, from Newark, New Jersey."By going to Wallops Island, we are getting our Sailors classroom time, and we are also able to get them training on the latest tactics and procedures used on operational ships."

This training provided the Sailors hands-on training with the systems that they will be using when the ship becomes operational. Having a qualified CDC watch team is crucial for George Washington's mission of completing RCOH and getting back out into the fleet.

"We need to be able to man a condition-three CDC watch team, or we can't leave the shipyard," said Fisher. "By doing this training now, we are being proactive, so that when the time comes and our systems are brought back onboard the ship, we already have Sailors who are capable and proficient in the operations of the systems .”

Although this training is vital for George Washington's overall mission, it is also crucial for the OI division and its Sailors.

"We are sending ourselves there as a team so that we can be a cohesive unit," said Fisher. "If we only send one or two people, that wouldn’t really help us in the overall goal of getting a fully qualified watch team. This is the first time since getting into the shipyard that we are working as a team and trying to accomplish something that pertains to our actual rate."

This training is also helping the Sailors who attend by getting them in-rate training, which is difficult to do for some departments while in the RCOH environment.

"I feel like this training helped us a lot, and we have to do more of it," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Justis Reyes, from Mililani, Hawaii., and a Sailor assigned to George Washington, who attended the training at Wallops Island . "With advancement exams coming up, training helps a lot. It's easier to understand what they are asking on the test if you have actually seen and used the equipment before."

Along with in-rate training being helpful with advancement exams, it is also beneficial for the training of new Sailors to the command.

"It is an excellent first step for Sailors who’s first command is here, on the George Washington, who have not been able to get any in-rate training because of the environment we are in," said Reyes. "Now we have Sailors in our department who have the knowledge necessary to train the new Sailors who are just checking-in to the command on the different systems we will have onboard, which I feel is extremely important for the overall mission."

Even with the challenges the RCOH environment brings to the Sailors assigned to the George Washington, these operations Sailors are planning for the future. When the ship returns to the fleet, these Sailors will be fully trained and qualified, ready to answer the nation’s call.

• Date Taken: 02.26.2019
• Date Posted: 03.01.2019 12:37
• Story ID: 312497
• Location: NEWPORTS NEWS, VA, US
• Hometown: MILILANI, HI, US
• Hometown: NEWARK, NJ, US