Midshipmen Receive Training Experience

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) hosted 15 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, June 3, where they received firsthand experience in the intensity and rigor of security force training.

During the summer months, between academic years, midshipmen venture out into the fleet, where they gain hands-on experience into the aspects of Navy life in the various warfare communities.

Divided into two groups, the first group visited CENSECFOR Learning Site (LS) Little Creek where they were greeted by Site Director, Lt. Christopher Morey and Assistant Site Director, Senior Chief Gunner's Mate Le Hastings.

"This is a great opportunity for our future Navy leaders because it allows them to experience unique aspects within the Navy besides the surface fleet," said Morey.

The group received a comprehensive site overview and a required safety brief. Once outfitted in the required protective gear and with all final safety checks complete, the group boarded two high-speed boats and proceeded to get underway.

"Our training is for qualified boat coxswains that are assigned to activities such as the Coastal Riverine Force and CNIC," said Hastings. "Those units are often tasked with providing escort and security services for assets deemed vital to our nation's security."

The school teaches qualified coxswains the advanced skills needed to operate various high-speed security boats. Coxswains become proficient at performing several high-risk maneuvers that he or she will use to intercept a potential threat or eliminate one deemed eminent.

It was a ride none of these midshipmen would soon forget, as the instructors performed high-speed maneuvers, such as 90 and 180-degree turns; and with a modest wave state, the ride often kept some of them clenched tightly to the safety bars, while others simply enjoyed the experience.

"I never had a lot of family in the Navy [and] didn't really know a lot about it, [but this experience] definitely opened my eyes to new [career] possibilities," said Midshipmen 3rd Class Alexandria Baker.

The second group of Midshipmen visited CENSECFOR's detachment in Chesapeake, where they were able to fire various small arms and crew serve weapons in the training simulator. They also experienced the stamina and skill needed to climb a Jacob's ladder in the fashion that visit, board, search and seizure teams use when scaling the freeboard of a vessel during a boarding.

The afternoon concluded in the defensive tactics or "DT" room where VBSS training teams learn control and defensive techniques used in close-quarters combat. Such skills become vital should a compliant boarding suddenly and unexpectedly turn non-compliant or hostile.

Paired one-on-one, Midshipmen 3rd Class Justin Trujillo was seemingly quick to learn the basic striking techniques he was taught. While giving it his all, Midshipmen 1st Class Heather Willis confidently held her ground as Trujillo's opponent absorbing the blow of each strike using the safety pads strapped to her forearms.

The midshipmen summer program has existed for more than 50 years. It has proven over time to play a vital role in giving the future leaders of tomorrow's Navy an opportunity to experience the broad range and multiple facets that encompass the Navy's mission. A mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 28,000 students each year and has 14 training locations across the U.S. and around the world.

For more news from and information about the Center for Security Forces, visit us at http://www.navy.mil/local/csf, www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf, or www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ.