Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Dale Hopkins | 190321-N-IQ884-1029 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 21, 2019) Capt. Ronald Dowdell, commanding...... read more read more
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PACIFIC OCEAN – Newly assigned Sailors to amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) graduated from the first ever Boxer Indoctrination Training and Education (BITE) program, March 21.
Expanded from an indoctrination program that used to last only two weeks, BITE graduated its first 16 Sailors after five weeks of more in-depth training, mentorship, and qualifications.
“The origins of BITE started from a simple question, 'How can we quickly transform a new Sailor into a contributing warfighter to Boxer's mission?' The result is a program which produces qualified Sailors in critical areas like [damage control] and 3M while also introducing Sailors to the critical life skills needed for the shipboard environment," said Capt. Ronald Dowdell, Boxer’s commanding officer.
The redesigned indoctrination program was first introduced in February to better cater to newly arriving Sailors after looking at what was missing from the old system.
“We realized previously indoctrinated Sailors weren’t getting the proper training, education, and computer access they needed before reaching their divisions,” said Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Harley Gaddy, Boxer’s BITE leading petty officer. “It took months for new check-ins to get basic qualifications and mentors. We developed a new approach to help new Sailors get those essentials faster so they could spend more time with their divisions. I think once the first and second class of BITE graduates return to their shops, the divisions are going to really start buying into it and understanding why this program is so important.”
BITE expands from the old indoctrination program by giving new Boxer Sailors more than just basic qualifications including training that can be sometimes lost in the hustle of getting a new person up to speed.
“BITE students also get CPR qualified, respirator access, and they even knock out required annual Navy training within the course,” said Gaddy. “This prevents divisions from having to individually train their Sailors in their own time. Although it’s five weeks long, it’s worth it for the divisions.”
The program helps new check-ins with finding a sponsor on the ship who can be a go-to for a variety of issues.
“We line up leadership training for them,” said Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Bryan Flowers, Boxer’s BITE leading chief petty officer. “The BITE student spends half of their time inside the classroom and the other half with a sponsor learning about things outside of it. After the Sailor graduates, they’ll continue to have this Sailor to trust whenever they need someone with ship expertise.”
One of the programs first graduates, Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Brandan Williams, says he appreciates the effectiveness of the program, especially for Sailors on their first tour.
“I honestly think BITE is needed, especially if this is a Sailor’s first duty station,” said Williams. “I feel like if you’re going to your first duty station, this program can really help you out with learning the way things work around the ship. All divisional leadership should look into this.”
Looking ahead, Boxer plans to continue to provide BITE as the indoctrination program for all new Sailors.
“As the Navy moves forward into the future, so should our indoctrination process,” said Flowers. “This program will continue to improve as we learn more about what check-ins really need from an indoctrination class in order to succeed.”
Boxer is underway conducting routine operation as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4) visit http://www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2019 20:01 |
| Story ID: | 315941 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 399 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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