Photo By Sgt. Austin Riel | U.S. Soldiers from 8th Theater Sustainment Command and 9th Mission Support Command...... read more read more
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FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — The 8th Theater Sustainment Command’s Army Watercraft Systems team has established a trailblazing partnership, being the 1st formal cross-training initiative between the 8th TSC and a commercial Offshore Support Vessel.
This unique opportunity provides Army mariners with experience to work alongside experienced commercial maritime professionals aboard the offshore support vessel MB480. This helps bolster a Soldier’s military expertise — exposing participants to advance vessel technologies, modernized operational practices, and commercial industry-leading maritime standards that complement and expand on traditional Army watercraft operations.
Leading this charge is Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Way, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Support Operations Officer and Army Marine Deck Officer/Master, Offshore Support Vessel Officer.
Currently, there are four participants on-board the MB480, in this cross-training event with commercial maritime professionals. Fostering a culture of professional development between the two organizations through modernization efforts and exchange of processes.
“In the Army, we have a lot of other extra things: communications, force protection. By implementing these four mariners onboard, we can help identify what we are missing from the civilian side and compare the differences of the engine side and of the deck side” said Way, “engineering as a whole, we are trying to identify the differences and similarities.”
The intent of this “Training with Industry” initiative was curated to broaden the professional development of Army mariners through exposure to commercial vessel operations. Soldiers gain onsite experience with relevant and up-to-date capabilities and operational concepts that pertain to future maritime operating environment, including:
These concepts enable and empower Soldiers to compare Army and industry methodologies, evaluate processes that may enhance Army mission readiness, and help identify best practices through real-time exposure.
“The plan is to implement Army Mariners onboard new classes of vessels, specifically the OSV” Way Said, “therefore leading into the Army’s programs of getting FSVs”
This innovative initiative represents more than just the 1st formal cross-training event — it is a stepping-stone for the future of Army maritime operations — ensuring that Army Watercraft remain relevant, capable and prevail in today’s ever-shifting operational environment.
Looking ahead, Way says, “It would help to better inform the fleet on how the civilian industry works”. This initiative will not only help the Soldiers coming to the end of their term; learning how to work in a civilian environment, it will help TRADOC, CASCOM, and Army Watercraft to move forward quickly. Speeding up the implementation of commercial watercraft to meet the requirement of the Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2026 17:08 |
| Story ID: | 571889 |
| Location: | FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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