Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) leads the Navy’s initial welder qualification and requalification efforts offering the only hands-on welding course for Sailors on the East Coast.
Each year, nearly 20 Sailors from various commands participate in the four-to-six-week, qualification program to hone their welding skills. The course reinforces the Navy’s commitment to developing technically skilled warfighters and sustaining fleet readiness.
“Through training and repetition, we will create a ripple effect that builds confidence in organic repair capabilities,” said Capt. Megan Thomas, MARMC production department head and prospective SIMA Norfolk commanding officer. “The training, exposure and experience gained by SIMA Sailors—and by ship’s crews working alongside them—will strengthen our ability to identify and correct legacy material issues, improving maintenance outcomes across the fleet.”
Currently, four Sailors are temporarily assigned to MARMC from commands including Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Bahrain, FDRMC Rota and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic (CNSG‑ML) to earn their requalification.
“Going through the welding requalification made me realize how important this skill set is,” said Hull Technician 1st Class Eliberto Garcia, assigned to FDRMC Bahrain. “At my forward-deployed command, we’re the only ones with welding skills. In a situation where repairs are needed immediately, that capability becomes crucial. I am grateful to be trained by the Navy’s top welding instructors so I can gain the proficiency needed to succeed and support the mission.”
While Sailors refine their welding skills, they also take advantage of the opportunity to conduct scheduled maintenance on the equipment they use.
“One of the additional advantages of having Sailors here for requalification is they can also learn and perform critical maintenance on the welding machines they use,” said Preston Everette, welding supervisor. “With more Sailors available to conduct manufacturer‑recommended maintenance, we’re able to extend the life of equipment that would otherwise wear out much sooner. The benefit extends beyond individual qualification.”
MARMC’s welding qualification program is helping set the conditions for the re-establishment of Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activities (SIMAs) this June. The return of SIMAs will expand the Navy’s intermediate‑level maintenance capacity, strengthen fleet readiness and provide Sailors with hands-on technical experience.
MARMC, a field activity under Program Acquisition Executive Industrial Operations (PAE IO), provides surface ship maintenance, oversight of private-sector repair work and fleet technical assistance to ships throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.