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Atlantic Ocean (January 24, 2024) – Of the 11 training teams aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the maintenance and material management training team (3MTT) operates differently from the rest.
The purple-hatted team is tasked with training Sailors on the maintenance and material management (3M) program which directly impacts the mission readiness of the ship.
“3M is the lifeblood of the ship; intricately woven into every department’s operation,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance)(SW) Rashaad Reid, one of the ship’s maintenance and material management coordinators (3MC). “It is the driving force that keeps equipment running so the ship can execute its mission.”
3MTT has representatives from each of George Washington’s departments, bringing hundreds of years of maintenance experience combined among the 30-plus chiefs and officers.
The main objective of 3MTT is collecting data through periodic spot checks of maintenance in order to identify issues and seek solutions to execute training accordingly. While observing a maintenance procedure, a 3MTT member may ask Sailors thought-provoking questions to ensure maintenance-qualified Sailors have a broad level of knowledge.
“The hands-on training is invaluable,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance)(AW/SW/IW) Elizabeth Gay, 3MC. “The goal is for Sailors to perform better the next time and become an example of what right looks like.”
George Washington has operationalized many pieces of equipment since completing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) less than a year ago, which changed the outlook on performing maintenance.
“The biggest challenge I have seen was shifting the maintenance mindset when we left RCOH,” said Gay. “With equipment up and running, if we don’t follow the procedure step-by-step, we’re not going to meet the mission. But now we are in the right stride.”
Representatives from the type commander (TYCOM) periodically conduct assist visits to evaluate the 3M program and help with training.
“If you have questions about anything, find one of us,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels)(AW/SW/EW) Jason Hausman, 3MC. “Same goes with TYCOM representatives when they visit, they are there for support.”
3MTT is looking forward to the change in tempo for maintenance this year as George Washington changes homeport to Japan.
“The continuation of the pace of 3MTT is critical to maintaining our warfighter readiness and the material condition of this vessel,” said Hausman. “If we focus on training junior Sailors and equipping them with what they need to perform maintenance, we will be the most effective fighting force on this planet.”
George Washington is slated to change homeport to Japan this year.
| Date Taken: | 01.24.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2024 09:18 |
| Story ID: | 486355 |
| Location: | ATLANTIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 3MO and the 3M-igos, by PO2 Bruce Morgan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
