Marine Gas Turbine Inspectors Graduate at MARMC

Photo By Harrison Cox | NORFOLK, Va. - Graduates from the Marine Gas Turbine Inspector Course pose for a group photo with civilian instructors at Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) onboard Naval Station Norfolk, March 29, 2024. MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private sector maintenance and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Harrison Cox).  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

04.17.2024

Story by Harrison Cox 

Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC)

Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) is proud to announce the graduation of seven new Marine Gas Turbine Inspectors (MGTI) from various commands, including USS Cole (DDG-67), USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Ross (DDG-71) and the South-West Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC). These highly skilled professionals are now certified to conduct routine and special inspections on all Gas Turbine Engines aboard Naval vessels.

In addition to their inspection duties, MGTIs provide invaluable Fleet Technical Assistance through local onboard tech support, distance support via email and phone, and occasionally travel outside the continental United States to support deployed assets and other regional maintenance centers.

“MARMC’s Marine Gas Turbine Inspectors support the Navy as a whole by teaching a semiannual eight-week long course to certify new Gas Turbine Inspectors,” said retired Senior Chief Gas Turbine System Technician (GSCS) Steve Palermo, the head class instructor for the course who has been working with MARMC’s Gas Turbines and Engine Controls Branch (Code 261) since 2018. “The class is typically held from August to September and again from February to March. A typical class is three to four students, with a capacity of six.”

Eligible candidates for this course are required to meet several requirements in order to be accepted. This includes passing an essay style pre-test, an oral board, obtaining their commanding officer’s recommendation and earning the written recommendation from a certified Marine Gas Turbine Inspector.

“The oral board consists of three case studies in which the students are given scenarios in which they have to conduct fact gathering, research, and present their processes for troubleshooting, testing and repairing the most probable root cause of the engines problem.” Palermo added.

The eight-week course consists of three weeks of classroom instruction covering engine construction, fuel and oil systems and troubleshooting techniques. This is followed by two weeks of hands-on lab work at MARMC's Gas Turbine Trainer, where students disassemble and re-assemble both Rolls Royce 501 and General Electric LM2500 engines. Students then spend two weeks conducting shipboard inspections alongside qualified MGTIs, culminating in a Gas Turbine Readiness Review (GTRR). The final week of training includes an open book exam using technical manuals, a closed book written exam and a challenging oral board chaired by MARMC's certified MGTIs.

“I loved the MGTI course," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GSM) 1st Class Alexas Valera, a recent graduate of the program. "It was challenging, but it really showed me what I am capable of. This is my proudest accomplishment so far in the Navy. I am so grateful to now have the opportunity to teach and help ships across the waterfront. I hope to contribute to the Navy’s mission by being the problem solver and actually correcting the issues that people run into, allowing them to be mission ready."

MGTI Program Manager David Cook visited from Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) and Master Chief Gas Turbine System Technician Dewey Graham traveled from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Headquarters in Washington D.C., to assist as final board members with Palermo, and present graduation certificates to all of the students.

Code 261’s Marine Gas Turbine Inspectors not only support the Navy but also provide assistance to NATO allies, including Bahrain, Chile, Egypt, and Poland, as well as the Military Sealift Command's AOE class supply ships.

MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private sector maintenance and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

• Date Taken: 04.17.2024
• Date Posted: 04.22.2024 13:58
• Story ID: 468738
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US