Commanding Officers Cmdr. Terrance Patterson, SWOSU Great Lakes, Cmdr. James Dancer, Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes, and Capt. Mark Meskimen, Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, joined more than 120 Sailors from their commands and Recruit Training Command (RTC) to get briefed on the RRL pillar of the Navy's Sailor 2025 initiative.

"Today I wanted to meet with Sailors to educate them on what RRL really is," Gonzalez said. "I also wanted to go over the timelines we are going to execute the initiative and try and highlight for the education staff and the Sailors the benefits and advantages that I think RRL will bring to them."

The presentation focused on the goal to provide Sailors the right training at the right time and in the right way. The new training model will eliminate the current practice of front-loading training at the very beginning of a Sailor's career by providing incremental training, or Block Learning, across a career-long learning continuum that delivers the training closer to when a Sailor is expected to perform the specific work.

"It was an excellent opportunity for SWOSUGL, TSC, CSCSU and RTC Staff to hear where the Navy is going with RRL," Patterson said. "Staff here will be heading back to the Fleet and will provide input to this process. This is the Navy's training future and our young leaders need to understand the development, implementation timeline and requirements. The Fleets input will define a Sailors career continuum and where the relevant training will fit in that continuum."

Following the presentation Gonzalez toured SWOSU's Hull Maintenance Technician, Machinery Repairman and Engineman "A" and "C" School.
Staff was able to show how they train and the equipment available to them to accomplish their jobs. They also were able to communicate with Gonzalez their thoughts on how training can improve.

"I'm trying to get a view of where the situation is today," Gonzalez said. "I know that a number of schools have done things that will fit easily under the umbrella of RRL. There are other areas where we are not even close. I am working to get the gamut of where we are and then use that as the foundation for where we want to leverage the system to respond sooner rather than later."

Patterson was proud to showcase the training methods and integrated technologies in the schools.

"This was Mr. Gonzales first visit to SWOSU, so we wanted to highlight the restoration of engineering training following the mandated reduction in training in 2007," he said. "It was a great opportunity to showcase our LPD-17 VTT classroom and the technology used in learning delivery. We discussed the future challenges with RRL regarding training methodologies and delivery methods for the HT and MR curriculum. Those ratings are heavy on experiential learning with many reps and sets to perfect welding and machining skill sets."

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