In a proactive move to harness the power of artificial intelligence, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe Africa Central leadership conducted a command-wide AI training stand-down Sept. 19 and 26, 2025.
The training reflects key priorities outlined in "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan", a strategic national approach to maintain U.S. leadership in AI through increased investment in research, development of AI-ready workforce, and promotion of trustworthy AI systems, while informing employees with the knowledge to leverage the technology for enhanced operational efficiency and mission accomplishment.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world around us, and it's crucial that our team is prepared to harness its potential,” said Capt. Andrew Olsen, commanding officer, NAVFAC EURAFCENT. “This stand-down provides a unique opportunity for our team to gain a foundational understanding of AI, explore its applications within the engineering world, and contribute to shaping our future operations.”
The stand-down was broken down in two parts. The first day were introductions and time for participants to do the training modules designed to provide a basic knowledge in AI concepts and applications. Employees explored subjects such as Demystifying AI, Everyday AI Concepts, Introduction to Conversational AI, Ethics in AI, Artificial General Intelligence: The Technology, Impact, and Ethics, Amplify Your Business Writing with AI, and Artificial Intelligence for Project Managers.
“This technology is not going away,” said Jason Mathis, deputy operations officer, NAVFAC EURAFCENT. “Our adversaries are using and leveraging it.”
Mathis added understanding this new tool also means reinforcing you critical thinking.
“It's critical to never lose the ability to know what you're doing and to think critically,” said Mathis. “As we train our replacements, we must train them to use this tool, which has tremendous potential, but to never lose the ability to think critically.
The final day featured a discussion by Ed Balsamo, counsel, NAVFAC EURAFCENT, where he talked about the different legal and ethical considerations when using AI or tools like NIPRGPT, a CAC-enabled GenAI tool, that allows users to have human-like conversations and complete tasks within a secure computing environment.
“NIPRGPT is designed to be a closed model – it’s isolated and contains information up to a certain date,” said Balsamo. “It’s not learning and adapting to user-inputted data. Your chats, prompts, outputs and uploaded documents are private and not shared or used to improve or train the model. Technically, what we input should not be seen by other users.”
Despite the system's design as a closed environment, Balsamo said questions remain about the privacy and security of sensitive data, such as source selection data.
“The question of whether we can load source selection information for contracts into NIPRGPT is not yet clear," said Balsamo. "It’s a topic of great discussion amongst the legal community because, while it seems like a closed system where you're sharing information only with the machine, there are super users who can monitor the system to ensure NIPRGPT is working as intended.”
NAVFAC EURAFCENT is committed to ensuring its workforce understands and can effectively utilize this transformative technology by eliminate fear surrounding AI and promote its responsible application for the benefit of the command and Navy.
“This was a great start, but lasting impact will come from our people taking the initiative to explore, practice, and apply these tools well beyond the training sessions,” said Cmdr. John Kvandal, public works officer, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. “In my experience, the best way to get genuine buy in is to clearly show how AI can make our jobs easier, our processes faster, and our outcomes better.”
Olsen said, the command is committed to staying at the forefront of embracing technological innovation and empowering its workforce for mission success.
“We will continue to invest our time and effort into adopting AI and other technologies so we can improve our performance and better deliver to the Fleet and our Nation,” said Olsen. “I am excited to see the implementation of AI into our processes and everyday work and permission [is] granted to move out boldly!”
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is the naval shore facilities, base operating support, and expeditionary engineering systems command delivering life-cycle technical and acquisition solutions aligned to fleet and Marine Corps priorities. NAVFAC EURAFCENT supports fleet commanders by providing engineering assessments and agile acquisition strategy, constructing and maintaining shore infrastructure, and maximizing force readiness to enhance warfighter capability. NAVFAC EURAFCENT serves as the engineering link between the shore and the Fleet in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.
For updates or coverage opportunities, email [NAVFAC-EAC-PAO@us.navy.mil](mailto:NAVFAC-EAC-PAO@us.navy.mil)
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2025 03:53 |
| Story ID: | 551074 |
| Location: | NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: | 19 |
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This work, NAVFAC EURAFCENT Supercharges Mission Readiness During AI Training, by Anthony Cage, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
